Once August hits it is like an imaginary alarm clock that goes off for parents that it is time to get down to business and start school shopping. Like many parents, I’m busy trying to get my daughter (Mikhaela) ready for the 1^st grade. This is probably the one time I don’t like shopping well besides the Holidays.  No, I am not a scrooge – it’s the crowds and the limited supply of items you’re looking for that irk me.

But on a positive note, we are excited for the school year to start because my daughter will be attending a new school that was constructed to meet the criteria for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and it was designed for CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) verification. I am familiar with LEED certification (since it is a term widely used in facility management) but I have never heard of CHPS verification. I had to Google it and I think I now have a better idea of what it means. I read that our local school district officials know of no other school in Texas that has accomplished both of these achievements and the school is expected to become a prototype for other districts to create sustainable and high-performance buildings. Neat huh?

Now what does such a building look like? I have never been inside a LEED certified building that I know of. What can I expect to see? Will there be green roofs? There are no photos posted except for a drawing of the front of the school so I am anxious to see the finished product. I wonder if sustainable practices will be taught to the kids and added to the curriculum? We will be able to meet the teacher and tour the building on Aug. 20 and I have plenty of questions for the school staff! I am sure this is the way of the future for schools.

For you facility managers out there, the two-story, 113,895 square foot building is designed to serve 950 students in grades pre-K through 5th.

Go Panthers!

DM