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Saturday, March 25 8:30-9:30 p.m.

WINTER is almost over, and soon
Once we become aware of how many lights we’re using, and how much
we’ll be enjoying the beautiful sun-
energy we’re consuming on a regular basis, we can then change the way we
drenched days that provide the
live and work. When we realize that we don’t really need to have the entire
perfect opportunity to take advantage
classroom lit when we’re working in the room alone, we get a LED task lamp
of natural lighting. Take the time to
for our desk and start saving energy. When we notice that it’s easier to see the
look for areas in your school that could
Promethean Boards and televisions when they’re not surrounded by overhead
be delamped. Look at corners and
light, we delamp those areas and start to save energy. When we observe Earth
areas near windows and doors. Do
Hour, we might realize that we don’t need to have multiple lights on in our
they need to be lit? Spaces that
homes, and we might just modify our behavior and start saving energy. When
include computer workstations,
we’re cleaning the school at night, perhaps we’ll only turn the lights on in the
televisions or Promethean Boards are
one area we’re in. When we each make a conscious choice to conserve energy
also excellent areas to delamp. If
every day, we start to make a huge difference the amount we use systemwide.
you’re unsure about the guidelines for
Conservation isn’t a new concept for MCPS. specific foot-candle requirements, ask
your SERT facilitator to help you make
Montgomery County Public School’s (MCPS) commitment to responsible
an assessment of your school. Schools
environmental stewardship spans more than 35 years, dating back to the
under warranty cannot be delamped.
1970s when our first energy policy and program took shape. Since then, we
have become a national leader in sustainability and environmental Another way to save energy is to
stewardship. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has recognized seven of utilize your blinds. On sunny but cold
our schools with the National Green Ribbon School Award since the inaugural days, open them to take advantage of
year of 2012. In 2013, MCPS was recognized with the District Sustainability natural light and let the sun provide
Award by the DOE. These awards reflect the outcome of tremendous heat. On hot days, close blinds or
collaboration across our many offices, departments, and schools to create angle them toward the ceiling to
successful programs and best practices in sustainability. reflect light.

Engaged students, staff, local partners, and Finally, make sure that your school has
community members develop and enhance been properly shut down for Spring
environmental sustainability and stewardship within Break. We often remind you that
MCPS through a variety of venues and initiatives. nearly 35 percent of your school’s
MCPS continues to embrace a culture of electricity use comes from lighting.
environmental sustainability that deeply permeates Imagine how much energy would be
our schools and the organization as a whole, and we wasted if the lights in just one
thank you for being part of that culture. Visit classroom in each MCPS school were
www.EarthHour.org to find great suggestions for celebrating the event and to left on for the 10-day period! Careful
learn about how you can get more involved. checks will keep that from happening.

The easiest thing to remember is also
Spend 60 Minutes Celebrating the Earth, the simplest thing to do: If you’re not
and a Lifetime Choosing to Conserve. actively using something, turn it off!
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MARCH 2017