Valley Montessori School is a Certified California Green Business! We are the only school in the Tri-Valley and just one of four Montessori schools in the state of California with this distinguished honor.
As part of the Valley Montessori Strategic Plan to show our commitment to the environment, the Strategic Planning Committee established the goal of becoming a California Green Business. This was a rigorous process requiring action in four critically important categories:
- Waste Reduction
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Conservation
- Pollution Management
Here are just some of the measures we have taken in each category:
Waste Reduction:
- Continue with robust recycling and composting program
- Encourage use of real dishware as much as possible
- Use high recycle content printer paper, paper towels, etc.
- Replaced paper plates, cups and utensils with compostible products
- Reduced use of small serving packaging
- Set copy machine default to 2 sided printing
- Encourage “Waste Free” Lunches
Energy Efficiency:
- Installed Solar Panels and continue to monitor efficiency
- Added awnings and window film to windows
- Incorporated Energy efficient lighting
T-8 lighting in classrooms and LED in the hallways
Water Conservation:
- Use low flow toilets and low flow aerators in sinks
- Posted water conservation signs by sinks
- Encourage use of reusable water bottles for our hydration stations
- Conduct rainwater harvesting
- Added drip irrigation and mulch in edible schoolyard
Pollution Management:
- Moved to integrated pest management (IPM)
- Labeled and filtered storm drains
- Replaced all aerosols
- Transitioned to environmentally friendly cleaning products
- Encourage fewer auto emissions with “idle free” signage
Sustainable Edible Schoolyard & Garden:
- Sustainable Chicken Coop
- Organic Fruit Tree Orchard
- Organic Vegetable Garden
- Outdoor Learning Area for children to learn about Sustainability. Children harvest the vegetables and fruit as well as collect the eggs from the chickens which provides ingredients for snacks for the children at VMS.