San Domenico School: Students leading the way to sustainability “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~ Confucius

Sustainability is rooted in the San Domenico mission statement. In the Dominican tradition of truth... We celebrate diversity, recognizing God's presence in ourselves and in all of creation We celebrate diversity, recognizing God's presence in ourselves and in all of creation We explore and develop the unique gifts of each individual in mind, heart, body and spirit We explore and develop the unique gifts of each individual in mind, heart, body and spirit We inspire inquiry and provide a strong academic foundation for lifelong intellectual growth We inspire inquiry and provide a strong academic foundation for lifelong intellectual growth We recognize what it means to be human in a global community and respond with integrity to the needs and challenges of our time. We recognize what it means to be human in a global community and respond with integrity to the needs and challenges of our time.

The Sustainable San Domenico project was created based upon our values-based mission statement. Its goals are to integrate sustainability into the curriculum and to make the school operations – food systems, energy consumption, maintenance, building programs and buying practices – all reflect the principles of sustainability. Its goals are to integrate sustainability into the curriculum and to make the school operations – food systems, energy consumption, maintenance, building programs and buying practices – all reflect the principles of sustainability.integrate sustainability into the curriculumintegrate sustainability into the curriculum Check out our website at Check out our website at

Energizing the Curriculum SD’s work with the Alliance to Save Energy One teacher from the High School and the Director of Sustainability attended the 2-day ASE training program. One teacher from the High School and the Director of Sustainability attended the 2-day ASE training program.

Working together……the Green Schools teachers added the activities into already existing curriculum. Upper School Environmental Science Curriculum Upper School Environmental Science Curriculum Middle School Energy curriculum Middle School Energy curriculum Co-curricular activities the students participate in voluntarily from grades 6-8. Co-curricular activities the students participate in voluntarily from grades 6-8.

Using our buildings as a learning laboratories……

Students are challenged to think critically…… With guidance from the ASE, the Upper School ES class facilitates an entire unit on energy. The students create an audit of the school, to be incorporated into our Energy Conservation Plan. With guidance from the ASE, the Upper School ES class facilitates an entire unit on energy. The students create an audit of the school, to be incorporated into our Energy Conservation Plan. It was imperative to work with the facilities department to understand energy usage in each area of the school. It was imperative to work with the facilities department to understand energy usage in each area of the school.

The Energy Audit Project: It begins with research and an in-class group discussion: It begins with research and an in-class group discussion:

Students were provided with a background in energy sources, efficiency, and some simple guiding ideas and steps for conserving energy. Students were provided with a background in energy sources, efficiency, and some simple guiding ideas and steps for conserving energy. Utilizing the electric and gas bills, students used tools to compare where energy is utilized most on campus. Utilizing the electric and gas bills, students used tools to compare where energy is utilized most on campus.

The Students’ Results: Here are some examples of what the students observed and their suggestions for energy efficient solutions. Here are some examples of what the students observed and their suggestions for energy efficient solutions.

The students’ solutions…. HEATING: Working with the facilities department, students came to understand how the school heating system worked. Their solution? HEATING: Working with the facilities department, students came to understand how the school heating system worked. Their solution? Separated systems with boiler control and timer clocks to manage heat Separated systems with boiler control and timer clocks to manage heat

San Domenico Energy/Water Conservation Plan Goals Goals Increase energy efficiency in facilities Increase energy efficiency in facilities Develop sustainable energy practices Develop sustainable energy practices Educate students/staff/parents on energy conservation practices and alternative energy sources Educate students/staff/parents on energy conservation practices and alternative energy sources Objectives: Objectives: Develop sustainable design standards Develop sustainable design standards Perform energy audits by building. Perform energy audits by building. Identify solutions to increase energy efficiency and forecast sustainable alternatives for replacements as needed. Identify solutions to increase energy efficiency and forecast sustainable alternatives for replacements as needed. Determine environmental impacts and economic benefits of projects. (cost analysis) Determine environmental impacts and economic benefits of projects. (cost analysis) Select projects that are cost-effective and implementable. Select projects that are cost-effective and implementable. Select leadership and participants for successful implementation. Select leadership and participants for successful implementation. Monitor and evaluate systems. Monitor and evaluate systems.

Lighting Solutions Replace incandescent light bulbs w/ compact fluorescents.

No cost solutions! Turn off lights, computers, other devices when no one is in the room! Turn off lights, computers, other devices when no one is in the room! Monitoring is by day faculty, the boarding faculty, and the school energy patrol in the Middle School Service and Sustainability Club. Monitoring is by day faculty, the boarding faculty, and the school energy patrol in the Middle School Service and Sustainability Club. Mini stickers are over EVERY light switch: “Turn off the lights when not in use!” Mini stickers are over EVERY light switch: “Turn off the lights when not in use!”

Water……. Low flow toilets were installed free of charge by our municipal water service. Low flow toilets were installed free of charge by our municipal water service. New shower heads installed in the dorm showers, to reduce the hot water consumption and therefore save energy. New shower heads installed in the dorm showers, to reduce the hot water consumption and therefore save energy. Rainwater catchment system on gravity flow to irrigate our garden, and eventually the rest of campus grounds Rainwater catchment system on gravity flow to irrigate our garden, and eventually the rest of campus grounds

Our outdoor pool! In 2006, a passive solar thermal system was installed to heat our large outdoor swimming pool. It was consuming 20% of our heating annually In 2006, a passive solar thermal system was installed to heat our large outdoor swimming pool. It was consuming 20% of our heating annually

Indirect energy reductions…. Use more organic produce from our garden in the cafeteria (saves on transportation + purchasing costs) Use more organic produce from our garden in the cafeteria (saves on transportation + purchasing costs) Purchase supplies and food from local farmers and distributors. (Marin has local organic produce, a tofu factory, bakeries, and dairy!) Purchase supplies and food from local farmers and distributors. (Marin has local organic produce, a tofu factory, bakeries, and dairy!) Use manure and cuttings Use manure and cuttings from the stables and grounds in compost and to fertilize plantings around campus- do not look for outside source.

More indirect energy savings… We recycle: paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, plastics, batteries, ink-jet cartridges, cell phones, and other electronics. We recycle: paper, cardboard, cans, bottles, plastics, batteries, ink-jet cartridges, cell phones, and other electronics. Reuse the back of project boards, paper, etc. Extra materials are sent to schools in need. Reuse the back of project boards, paper, etc. Extra materials are sent to schools in need. Digital cameras instead of film Digital cameras instead of film Use rechargeable batteries Use rechargeable batteries Don’t use disposable dishes in the cafeteria- when disposables are needed, we now use compost- ables. Don’t use disposable dishes in the cafeteria- when disposables are needed, we now use compost- ables.

How did student’s react to the activity? In their own words: “ I plan to learn about more ways we can make a difference directly, like how we learned in this unit about all the ways of saving energy, because I really like learning about things that are actually possible for me to do, instead of feeling helpless.”

Another student reflection: “One of the most important things, besides shifting to using renewable energy is learning to conserve the energy that we possess right now.” “One of the most important things, besides shifting to using renewable energy is learning to conserve the energy that we possess right now.”

Community Outreach Monthly online Newsletters to over 700 people in our school community Monthly online Newsletters to over 700 people in our school community Schools, universities, non-profits come to SD to use our program as a model for sustainability within their own schools. Schools, universities, non-profits come to SD to use our program as a model for sustainability within their own schools. Host a annual Sustainability conference for teachers, administrators and students. Host a annual Sustainability conference for teachers, administrators and students.

What’s next at SD? Large-scale photovoltaic solar system! Large-scale photovoltaic solar system! Students are involved in the process campaigning for student support, researching cost-analysis and technology. Students are involved in the process campaigning for student support, researching cost-analysis and technology. So many more steps……. So many more steps…….

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Our students take on each little step, and as many graduate, they are able to look back and see the first few miles we’ve covered.

“ We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity. The ‘tide in the affairs of men’ does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: ‘Too late....’” Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information,