By Michelle Serna
One school in the Scottsdale Unified School District is setting the bar high when it comes to sustainability and helping to keep the earth a cleaner place.

Tavan Elementary School won the $15,000 national grand prize in the Google Bright Green Dream Challenge sponsored by Lutron Electronics Company.

Lutron, which specializes in lighting that conserves energy use, awarded the school with a cash prize, which will enable school officials to purchase other materials to further implement its sustainability project.

Tavan also will receive a Lutron Greenovation energy efficient classroom lighting upgrade.

“The grant supports sustainability in our school,” said Ana McCrory, a speech and language pathologist at Tavan.

“It will allow us to purchase equipment such as light switches that are sensor activated, waterless urinals and low-flush equipment for the toilets.

“We are working on expanding our student and community awareness for recycling,” McCrory said.
In addition to learning new ways to improve sustainability, the students of Tavan also work hard to spread the word to others.

Every Wednesday is Go Green Wednesday, when students write and say lines related to conservation.

“Last week we reported on the fact that the school uses over $8,000 a month for electricity, and we challenged the kids to turn off the lights without being told,” McCrory said.

“We even set out to have teachers award the kids with a special prize if they are seen turning off the lights without being told,” she said.

Newsletters go out to the students’ families encouraging parents and the community to help conserve energy and recycle.

More than 50 applicants nationwide competed in the contest and news of Tavan’s victory was met with great enthusiasm by staff, parents and especially the students.

“It was a very exciting day. It was huge,” McCrory said of the Dec. 11 handing over of a $15,000 check.

“We will soon be acknowledging the kids and everyone who helped, such as the janitorial staff, teachers and the administration.”

The prize will go toward buying water and energy conserving equipment. Representatives from Lutron will come to the school to see what equipment would best benefit the school and later install it.

McCrory said she hopes Tavan will set an example for other schools and hopes to challenge them to start leading a more energy conserving way of life and improve sustainability within the schools.

“The kids are becoming leaders when it comes to spreading the word about sustainability,” she said. “I think it’s a terrific boost to an effort that has been going on in our school for about three years now. We are all very proud.”

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