Environmental sustainability is in the public consciousness now more than ever; and the Downers Grove community is no exception. The District 99 website features numerous links, testimonials and tips regarding environmental sustainability and energy conservation.

Both DGS and DGN are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as “Green Ribbon” schools, a title awarded by the U.S. DOE that “[highlights] schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers’ cost-saving, health promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices.

Ribbon-awarding initiatives taken by the district include replacing all light bulbs in the school to be more cost and energy efficient, making the switch to fluorescent lighting in gyms and installing pool covers which reduce energy costs by 28% and water consumption by 38%.

The district also highlighted a $7,000 grant from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to install solar panels at its two schools. While these panels produce less than 1% of energy consumed district wide, remaining electricity is purchased and sourced from wind farms.

For all past, current and future construction projects, including the most recent additions and renovations completed in 2021, the district has consulted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines to ensure energy and water efficiency on all projects to reduce operational costs.

Institutions such as public schools often work with local governmental entities to incorporate these LEED guidelines into daily operations. Deputy director for the Illinois Green Alliance Katy Kaluzny became a LEED Green Associate 15 years ago, and has been working toward a greener future since 2009.

Kaluzny and Illinois Green this past Monday, Sept. 9 launched its “Illinois Green Schools Project.” Kaluzny playing a key role in both the implementation of this program and the awarding of “Green Ribbons” to Illinois schools.

“In this program we work with schools to begin or continue their sustainability journey by providing resources, case studies and matching schools with a green building professional mentor from our membership to assist them on their journey. I also work with the Illinois State Board of Education to administer the U.S. Department Of Education’s Green Ribbon program here in Illinois that recognizes schools that are achieving high levels of sustainability progress in their designated three pillars,” Kaluzny said.

Kaluzny also shared her thoughts on public education’s role in educating and working toward a sustainable future.

“An understanding of how actions individuals take at any level impact the environment and ecosystem around them is critical to making change at home, school, in your community and wherever you go in life. Learning and developing an understanding of why actions make a positive or negative impact on the environment and climate is key to having the desire to learn how to make changes in behavior, actions [or] policies,” Kaluzny said.

There are numerous education and participation programs within DGS and DGN in regards to the environment. AP Environmental Science is an elective class offered at both schools, educating students on not only how the environment works but also the role individuals play in everyday life.

Another student involvement activity comes in the form of the Go Green club at DGS. Math teacher Michael McGinnis has been an instructor with DGS for 19 years. For 15 of those he has co-sponsored the club alongside Kevin Ahrens. McGinnis explained a little bit about why he personally chose to sponsor the club.

“I come from a background where recycling and sustainability is a big part of a culture in my family. In fact, my father in law actually runs a construction company slash recycling company,” McGinnis said.

He also gave his perspective on environmental education within a school setting.

“I work a lot with the science teachers, and I know it’s a big part of their curriculum, with elective classes dedicated towards that. I think the student’s awareness and mindset and intelligence on the matter is amazing. So it doesn’t take a whole lot of selling from our point of why we do it or what we do,” McGinnissaid.

While the Go Green club is primarily focused on recycling, McGinnis stressed the community-building aspect of the organization as well.

“It has become a great cross section of our school and student body and community. We have all grades; we function throughout the year; so people come and go. A lot of people come with their friends. A large section of our students at work are from our multi needs program so it’s a great way for all students to get involved [to] a certain level.”

Finally, McGinnis touched on the misprinted recycling bins in almost every classroom at DGS.

“We laugh at that too. And we’ve done things in the past [like] poke fun at that. We’re just glad that they’re blue and people know what to do with them,” McGinnis said.

Another opportunity for environmental involvement comes in the form of another student club– research club. With meetings every Monday, the club provides an opportunity for students to engage in any sort of scientific research that interests them. Sophomore Rose Jones is a member of the research club, participating last year in the reconstruction of the Norfolk prairie.

“Last year I joined Research club because I was interested in science, and I joined a project to help build a prairie outside of the school, which took a lot of research on soil levels and what types of plants would survive. I have always really enjoyed all types of science, but especially environmental ones,” Jones said.

She shared her opinion on the role of DGS and its students in environmental consciousness.

“I think DGS is doing a fine job for environmental sustainability, but it could be better, we have different concepts in the school that haven’t truly been explained or worked on. One example is recycling; the school keeps out recycling bins everywhere, but people confuse how to use it correctly, and I often find half eaten food and gum in them,” Jones said.

Both research and Go Green club meet Mondays, the former at 7:30 a.m. in room C256 and the latter right after school in room D170.