Frequently Asked Questions
Illinois Green Schools Project
For Educators & School Staff
ILGSP is a year-long project where schools and mentors meet semi-regularly between October and May. Mentors and Schools work together to design a meeting schedule that works for them. We recommend meeting with your green team at least once/month. You might need to meet more regularly at the beginning of the year as you brainstorm project ideas. Having a weekly team meeting with your students is a great way to get the ball rolling! Staff and mentors will be there to make sure you always know what dates and deadlines are coming up!
- The Green Team can be existing or new to your school. Student involvement is essential and should include a class or club of students. Additionally, each Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as Green Team Sponsor. This Sponsor will work together with the Green Schools Mentor and Green Team to develop and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.
- The Green Team can include and get support from other Green Schools Champions like school administration, teachers, school nurses, facility managers, custodians, food services, educational support staff, student organizations, parents, parent-teacher organizations, and community organizations engaged in the school.
- Gain access to tools and support to navigate your green schools journey, no matter where your school is starting from.
- Students, teachers, and staff work together to create healthier, sustainable learning environments.
- Receive support and guidance from a Green Schools Mentor and connect students to green building careers.
- Connect with a network of Green Schools Champions that are sharing resources, best practices, and challenges in undertaking school sustainability initiatives.
- Earn recognition for green schools work through an annual celebration and create a pathway for recognition in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program.
The Illinois Green Schools Project is open to K-12 schools in Illinois. Schools can participate no matter where they are on their sustainability journey, whether they are just getting started or already have green initiatives in place.
- To participate in the Illinois Green Schools Project your school will complete the registration form, which opens each year in August. Each school that registers will need approval to participate from the head of school or principal prior to completing the registration.
- Additionally, each Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as the Green Team Sponsor. This Sponsor will work together with the Green Schools Mentor and Green Team to identify, investigate, and implement the school’s selected project, and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.
- Illinois Green Schools Project participating schools submit a short written report, impact stats, along with a visual representation to share results of the project, not limited to photos, drawings, videos or other media. Photo releases are also required along with the submission.
- These materials will help us celebrate and highlight your school’s accomplishments during the Illinois Green Schools Project Celebration Event.
For Green Schools Mentors
The Illinois Green Schools Project Mentors are volunteers from the Illinois Green Alliance that have sustainability and green building expertise, including architects, engineers, designers, builders, and more. Schools will be matched with Green Schools Mentors to help them identify, investigate, and implement a no- to low-cost sustainability project.
ILGSP is a year-long project where mentors meet with their school semi-regularly between October and May. We estimate that mentors will spend 2-5 hours working with their schools each month.
Mentors and Schools work together to design a meeting schedule that works for them. As long as you’ll be free to be in regular contact with your school, keep an eye on emails and deadlines from Illinois Green, and help your school stay on track for the year, the specific dates you choose to meet or conduct work are completely up to you and your school!
The only dates that are “mandatory” are the ILGSP virtual Kick Off on October 19th, the mentor orientation on October 27th, and the end of year Celebration Event on May 22nd.
- Mentors should have a passion for creating sustainable learning environments and working with schools.
- Complete the Green Schools Mentor registration, which opens in September.
- Attend a Green Schools Mentor Orientation.
- Commit to 2-5 hours of working with your school each month. Green Schools Mentors interact and communicate with schools by phone, email, video conferencing, and in-person meetings (as health and safety guidelines allow).
- Participate in Illinois Green Schools Project meet-ups and activities.
- Provide guidance on project identification, investigation, and implementation.
- Provide sustainability expertise and guidance to your assigned school.
- Assist with documentation and preparation of final submission.
- Attend the Celebration Event.
- Be an active member of the Illinois Green Alliance. Learn more and become a member.
Complete the Green Schools Mentor registration form (Registration for the 2022-23 school year opens in August). Once we receive your registration form, Illinois Green staff will follow-up with additional details and to confirm your participation. Before applying, please review the Green Schools Mentor responsibilities above.
- As a Green Schools Mentor, you will be matched with a K-12 school in Illinois to devise and implement a no- to low-cost sustainability project for their school. Mentors provide guidance and expertise as they work together with their school to implement their sustainability project.
- Student involvement is essential in the Illinois Green Schools Project and should include a class or club of students. Additionally, each school Green Team is required to have one faculty, staff, or parent from the school serve as Green Team Sponsor. The Green Schools Mentor will work together with the Green Team Sponsor and Green Team to develop and implement the school’s selected project and submit final results to Illinois Green Alliance.
- The Green Team can include and get support from other Green Schools Champions like school administration, teachers, school nurses, facility managers, custodians, food services, educational support staff, student organizations, parents, parent-teacher organizations, and community organizations engaged in the school.
Have additional questions?
Email us at greenschools@illinoisgreenalliance.org