Are you Smarter than a 6th Grader???

When it comes to energy, do you think you are smarter than a 6th grade student?. Click here to try an on-line 6th Grade Energy Quiz.

Change a light bulb...

Change the world!

Since there have been several Energy Star posts lately, let's close out the week with just one more. According to Energy Star, if all of the households in Minnesota changed just one incandescent light bulb to an Energy Star qualified bulb, the combined individual efforts could save up to 106 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This is enough energy to light all the households in St. Paul for nearly 180 days. Based on the average electrical rate in Minnesota, the amount of energy saved would reduce household electrical bills by a combined total of $9 million a year. AND, this simple change would prevent nearly 163 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year which is the equivalent to removing the annual emissions of 14 thousand cars from Minnesota roadways.

In the News

The Prior Lake American recently published an article about the Energy Star buildings in our district. Please click here for a link to the article from the June 16th edition of the paper.

Thanks for the coverage, Meryn!
As a quick point of clarification regarding the article, it is Hidden Oaks Middle School and not Twin Oaks currently undergoing the recommissioning process. No worries, I get those two 'Oaks' mixed up occasionally too.

Well done, Jeffers Pond!

Jeffers Pond Elementary in Prior Lake was another of the district's buildings to recently become Energy Star certified. Last week at their year end all-school meeting, Terry, the head building operator, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the staff and students. Jeffers Pond also received the annual SEE award for Outstanding Achievement in Energy Reduction for 2011, their second year in a row to receive this recognition. With their Energy Star rating  consistently in the upper 90s range, Terry, Principal Warner, the staff and all the students at Jeffers Pond are great examples of being good energy stewards. 

    

Well done, Jeffers Pond, well done!

Way to go, Five Hawks!

Last week at their final all-school meeting of the year, head building operator Bill accepted the Energy Star award on behalf of all the students and staff at Five Hawks Elementary in Prior Lake. Everyone in the building has worked really hard at conserving energy and Five Hawks' Energy Star rating has consistently been in the 90 point range. 

Five Hawks also earned an award from SEE this year which was presented in addition to the Energy Star award. The school was recognized for their Outstanding Achievement in Energy Reduction for 2011. The building met and exceeded the goal of achieving a 10% reduction in overall energy use for the second year of participating in the SEE program. Five Hawks also earned this annual SEE award last year so they are definitely Energy All-Stars in that building!

Congratulations, Five Hawks!

PLHS Class of 2012

CONGRATULATIONS to this year's graduating class from Prior Lake High School, an absolutely wonderful group of students who will be receiving their diplomas this evening at Dan Patch Stadium. You all have such a bright future ahead of you, hats off to you!

Best wishes Class of 2012!

Award-winning Glendale!

Yesterday during an all-school meeting at Glendale Elementary in Savage, head building operator Jim (pictured below) accepted two awards on behalf of all the students and staff in his building. Glendale was recognized by SEE for their Outstanding Achievement in Energy Reduction for 2011. Their goal was to reduce their overall energy use for the year by at least 10% and Glendale met and exceeded that goal achieving a 14% reduction. It takes teamwork to achieve this kind of results, thanks everyone, way to go!

Jim also proudly accepted the Energy Star plaque for Glendale. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States recently awarded the school Energy Star certification in recognition of the building's superior energy performance. The EPA considers Glendale one of America's energy all-stars for operating efficiently and meeting the EPA's high standards. To attain Energy Star status a building must maintain a rating of 75 or greater out of 100. Glendale consistently rates in the mid 90s for operating not only efficiently but appropriately for a school setting. Huge thanks go out to Jim, Principal Richardson and all the staff and students at Glendale. Well done!