Sustainable Schools Challenge

One way that Parkway has attempted to implement sustainability into individual schools is through the Sustainable Schools Challenge. The Sustainable Schools challenge was to get students and staff involved in individual actions towards sustainability. The Sustainable Schools Challenge involves a point system that schools can get involved in for the chance of winning $50 a month and $600 at the end of the school year. Opportunities to earn these points include hosting a tree planting day, calculating your carbon footprint and becoming a Recycle Rally school, among other possibilities. 

Despite implementing this challenge, a wide point disparity exists between schools within the Parkway School District. For example, Claymont has achieved the most significant sustainability points at 7,963 points, while schools like Fern Ridge have not earned a single point towards sustainability.

Both individual students and schools have the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant if they wish to start a project that aligns with Parkways sustainability goals. Each grant is worth $400, and requests are reviewed four times a year on a rolling deadline. The last two deadlines, however, have not had any grant applications.

Parkway’s attempts at promoting sustainability within individual schools have faltered, with no schools taking advantage of the resources offered. It is not enough to have funds for projects if schools never choose to take advantage of them.

The Principles of Education for Sustainability in Parkway states that “all students need knowledge, skills and understanding of sustainability to positively respond to an ever-changing world.” Parkway claims to aim towards working with students to grow environmentally conscious mindsets and provide the resources they need to work towards sustainability. Yet, very little sustainability is taught and practiced within schools.

While high school students can sign up for classes about the environment, not every school within Parkway offers the same courses to their students. Therefore, taking classes based on the environment is not a guarantee, and many students never learn this information.

Without the equal implementation of environmentally friendly practices and education on these practices, a wide disparity will exist between schools within Parkway. In addition, all students cannot gain the knowledge, skills and understanding of sustainability that they need when the practices outlined in the Sustainable Schools Challenge are optional within schools.