Sustainability

Environmental Stewardship

One of the priorities for District 58 is to ensure that sustainability practices are incorporated into the design of the referendum construction project. Another priority is to optimize the well-being of students and staff in the design of the projects.

Here are examples of how the District is doing that in collaboration with its contractors, engineers and design team. 

Site and Landscaping

• Incorporate stormwater best practices, including bioswales (a landscape feature that collects stormwater runoff)
• Plant native plants where possible to minimize maintenance
• Provide outdoor classrooms and learning gardens

Energy

• Provide energy-efficient mechanical systems
• Design new roofs to be solar-ready
• Provide daylight and occupancy sensors on lighting
• Explore grant opportunities for solar and increased energy efficiency

Learning & Sustainability

• Promote sustainable water practices
• Provide areas for recycling 
• Incorporate signage and displays as a teaching tool for sustainable features in the building and site
• Connect curriculum with sustainable features

Air Quality

• Provide operable windows where feasible
• Provide increased ventilation and air filtration

Wellness

• Provide restorative spaces
• Incorporate biophilic design, meaning a connection to nature
• Incorporate more natural lighting by using the principle of circadian lighting design, skylights and clerestory windows, which are windows placed at the top of a wall to light the interior of large spaces
• All schools will have an option to purchase a meal that meets USDA national school lunch program (NSLP) standards.
• Provide safe, walkable paths
• Provide lockable bike storage areas