From the BCCT.
District parting with green to go green
By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC
Central Bucks School District saved more than $70,000 in utilities by having a four-day workweek over the summer.
And district officials hope that they will continue to save on utilities by implementing a new $19.8 million energy initiative, which includes the installation of equipment and software — computerized boiler controls, occupancy sensors for lighting, occupancy sensors for the heating and air-conditioning systems, and machines that shut off the vending machines at night — in all of the district’s 26 buildings.
The district will also improve insulation in many of its buildings, install solar-powered heaters at the pools at Central Bucks East and South high schools, and replace the lighting in some of its buildings.
District officials estimate that the initiative will save more than $18 million in utility costs in the first 20 years, after initiative-related expenses have been paid.
The initiative was approved unanimously by the school board last week.
“It’s so refreshing when we can put money and time and energy into something like this, that’s actually going to have such a great payback,” board President Geryl McMullin said.
“We’re trying desperately to become more green in the school district.”
McMullin said she’d like to take the money the district saves from the energy initiative and invest it into other environmentally friendly initiatives.
“We’ve got a lot of buildings. We use a lot of electricity and we use a lot of fuel. And we need to do our best to do our part,” she said.
District officials decided in June to close 21 of the district’s 26 buildings on Fridays for seven weeks over the summer. Superintendent N. Robert Laws estimated at the time that the four-day workweek would save the district about $53,000 in utility costs.
The actual savings turned out to be $71,554, operations director Scott Kennedy reported last week.
Johnson Controls Inc., an international company with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is working with Central Bucks to install the new equipment and software over the next 14 months. The equipment and software will be installed in phases, and Johnson Controls and district staff are currently working on the schedule, Kennedy said.
The project will cost the school district $14.8 million up front; the district is making a down payment of $7.5 million and financing the remaining $7.3 million over 15 years at a rate of 4 percent. District officials estimate that — with loan interest, software licensing fees and training costs — the project will ultimately cost $19.8 million over 20 years.
Johnson Controls has guaranteed that the district will begin to see savings in utility costs after the equipment and software are installed.
District officials expect to see total savings over 20 years of $38.8 million.
After it has paid the $19.8 million in expenses, the district expects to have a total utility savings of more than $18.9 million.
Johnson Controls will also provide the school with educational materials — to be used in the classroom — about energy efficiency.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
School Board Business Meeting Reminder
Tomorrow, Wednesday October 22, 7:30 P.M. in the LGI
Morrisville school board: 7:30 p.m., Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: agreement with engineering firm for upgrade services to the high school and surveys of elementary schools, acceptance of grants and donations.
Morrisville school board: 7:30 p.m., Large Group Instruction Room of the Middle/Senior High School, 550 W. Palmer St. Agenda: agreement with engineering firm for upgrade services to the high school and surveys of elementary schools, acceptance of grants and donations.
Career center helps kids get ready for future
From the BCCT
Career center helps kids get ready for future
By JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS - Lombardi walked into the new career center at Harry S Truman High School last week not knowing what to do after he graduates.
Less than an hour later, the Truman senior left the center armed with a list of potential careers that might be a good fit for him. The list is based on the answers Jeremy gave during an online survey of his interests and goals. It includes graphic designer, landscaper and airport grounds crew member.
“It really helped me out with possible careers for after high school,” Jeremy, 19, said of the list. “It shows me I've got the world at my fingertips, basically.”
The Bristol Township school used Project 720 funds from the state to create the career center to help Truman students develop a post-high school plan, said Mark Kaye, a retired guidance counselor who oversees the facility.
It includes computers, online career strategy programs, an overhead video screen for presentations and a meeting area for students, counselors and college and trade representatives. Students can do online searches about colleges and universities, apply for free online to Bucks County Community College and make a reservation to take the SAT test at a neighboring high school.
“It's helping us with our future and it's great that we have a center to do that,” said Truman senior Samantha Kurfuss, 17, who plans to pursue a career in criminal justice, phlebotomy or forensic science.
Project 720, named for the number of days a student is in high school, was established a few years ago to provide students with personalized attention, tougher classes and a more rigorous senior year.
Gov. Ed Rendell pushed for the program because surveys suggest an estimated 40 percent of high school graduates are not ready for college and other grads entering the workforce often lack basic math and communication skills, state officials said.
The Morrisville and Palisades school districts were among the first in the state to receive Project 720 grants, which are awarded over a three-year period.
Morrisville used the $120,000 it received between 2005-08 to develop a high school curriculum that includes four years of required mathematics classes and other initiatives, including mentoring and apprenticeship programs, district officials said.
Palisades used the $150,000 during the same time period to expand summer reading programs, integrate technology into math classes and, like Truman, help students develop plans for their career paths.
Bristol Township's Project 720 grant for $217,119 is spread out in three installments between 2007-10.
Once all the Truman seniors have access to the center this year, counselors will arrange interviews with juniors and sophomores to get them thinking about their futures, Kaye said. Ninth-graders at the district's Benjamin Franklin Freshman Academy also are taking the career survey online to help them begin plotting a plan for the future, he said.
Matt Kohler, a Truman senior, had to ask where the center was when he received notice of an interview time. Now he's glad he found it.
“It helps so much. It gives kids so many opportunities,” said Matt, 17, who plans to be a social studies teacher. “It's probably the most important room in the school in my opinion, because it will help you determine where to go after school.”
Several area school districts are receiving Project 720 grants in three installments between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 to better prepare their students for life after high school. In addition to Bristol Township, the districts are:
BRISTOL
$165,405 to establish a college and career center in the guidance office at Bristol Borough Junior/Senior High School, provide more than 200 virtual online courses to students, establish a reading apprenticeship program and redesign the school's math program.
HATBORO-HORSHAM
$120,000 to establish student internships, integrate Pennsylvania career education and work standards into core academic courses, create a standalone course called Pathways Seminar for high school juniors to address transition planning and personal finance and establish a Student Success Center where students meet with college representatives and speakers from various professions and use numerous resources to develop a post-secondary plan.
LOWER MORELAND
The district is in the process of receiving Project 720 grant money totaling $90,000. The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching district officials Friday for information on how the money will be used.
NORTH PENN
$150,000 to bring in an academic intervention specialist to serve as a success coach and provide academic support for underachieving students. The money also is being used to support student incentive programs and curriculum enhancements, expand the high school's advanced placement program and increase after-school and Saturday academic support activities.
SOUDERTON
$196,770 to implement a more rigorous and relevant curriculum to help students focus their attention on their post-high school plans, and to enhance the high school's Career Pathways initiative.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Education and local school districts
Career center helps kids get ready for future
By JOAN HELLYER
Bucks County Courier Times
BRISTOL TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS - Lombardi walked into the new career center at Harry S Truman High School last week not knowing what to do after he graduates.
Less than an hour later, the Truman senior left the center armed with a list of potential careers that might be a good fit for him. The list is based on the answers Jeremy gave during an online survey of his interests and goals. It includes graphic designer, landscaper and airport grounds crew member.
“It really helped me out with possible careers for after high school,” Jeremy, 19, said of the list. “It shows me I've got the world at my fingertips, basically.”
The Bristol Township school used Project 720 funds from the state to create the career center to help Truman students develop a post-high school plan, said Mark Kaye, a retired guidance counselor who oversees the facility.
It includes computers, online career strategy programs, an overhead video screen for presentations and a meeting area for students, counselors and college and trade representatives. Students can do online searches about colleges and universities, apply for free online to Bucks County Community College and make a reservation to take the SAT test at a neighboring high school.
“It's helping us with our future and it's great that we have a center to do that,” said Truman senior Samantha Kurfuss, 17, who plans to pursue a career in criminal justice, phlebotomy or forensic science.
Project 720, named for the number of days a student is in high school, was established a few years ago to provide students with personalized attention, tougher classes and a more rigorous senior year.
Gov. Ed Rendell pushed for the program because surveys suggest an estimated 40 percent of high school graduates are not ready for college and other grads entering the workforce often lack basic math and communication skills, state officials said.
The Morrisville and Palisades school districts were among the first in the state to receive Project 720 grants, which are awarded over a three-year period.
Morrisville used the $120,000 it received between 2005-08 to develop a high school curriculum that includes four years of required mathematics classes and other initiatives, including mentoring and apprenticeship programs, district officials said.
Palisades used the $150,000 during the same time period to expand summer reading programs, integrate technology into math classes and, like Truman, help students develop plans for their career paths.
Bristol Township's Project 720 grant for $217,119 is spread out in three installments between 2007-10.
Once all the Truman seniors have access to the center this year, counselors will arrange interviews with juniors and sophomores to get them thinking about their futures, Kaye said. Ninth-graders at the district's Benjamin Franklin Freshman Academy also are taking the career survey online to help them begin plotting a plan for the future, he said.
Matt Kohler, a Truman senior, had to ask where the center was when he received notice of an interview time. Now he's glad he found it.
“It helps so much. It gives kids so many opportunities,” said Matt, 17, who plans to be a social studies teacher. “It's probably the most important room in the school in my opinion, because it will help you determine where to go after school.”
Several area school districts are receiving Project 720 grants in three installments between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 to better prepare their students for life after high school. In addition to Bristol Township, the districts are:
BRISTOL
$165,405 to establish a college and career center in the guidance office at Bristol Borough Junior/Senior High School, provide more than 200 virtual online courses to students, establish a reading apprenticeship program and redesign the school's math program.
HATBORO-HORSHAM
$120,000 to establish student internships, integrate Pennsylvania career education and work standards into core academic courses, create a standalone course called Pathways Seminar for high school juniors to address transition planning and personal finance and establish a Student Success Center where students meet with college representatives and speakers from various professions and use numerous resources to develop a post-secondary plan.
LOWER MORELAND
The district is in the process of receiving Project 720 grant money totaling $90,000. The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching district officials Friday for information on how the money will be used.
NORTH PENN
$150,000 to bring in an academic intervention specialist to serve as a success coach and provide academic support for underachieving students. The money also is being used to support student incentive programs and curriculum enhancements, expand the high school's advanced placement program and increase after-school and Saturday academic support activities.
SOUDERTON
$196,770 to implement a more rigorous and relevant curriculum to help students focus their attention on their post-high school plans, and to enhance the high school's Career Pathways initiative.
Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Education and local school districts
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