EarthTeam
Kickoff Projects: School Environmental Surveys

This page contains all 6 surveys for the School Audit. Press the Print button on your browser or choose "Print" from the File menu.

Garden/Landscape/Compost

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED.

NAME(S) ________________________________

SCHOOL ________________________________

DATE ___________________________________

Garden

Do you have a school garden? _____________ (If "no", go to "landscaping")

a. What is the purpose of your school garden?

______________________________________

b. What do you produce and how often?

______________________________________

1. Do you have a winter garden? __________
2. Do you have a summer garden? __________

c. How do you utilize the products that you produce?

1. Culinary Arts Program ? ________
2. Sell for a profit? ________
3. Donate to charity? ________
4. Other? ___________________

d. How efficient is your watering system?

1. What method do you use to supply your water? ________________
2. How much water does it take per year? _______________________

e. How do you maintain your soil fertility?

1. Chemical fertilizers? ___________
2. Organic fertilizers? ___________
3. Compost? ___________
4. Other? _______________________

f. How do you control weeds?

1. Pulling by hand? ___________
2. Herbicides (Brand Names, How Much, How Often)? ______________
3. Mulching (What materials do you use)? ____________________
4. Other? ___________________

g. How do you control pests?

1. Bio-Control (Explain what you have done) _________________
2. Insecticides (Brand Names, How Much, How Often)______________
3. Chemicals that protect against large animals (Cats, Birds)? _________________________________

h. How do you dispose of your waste at the end of the season or year?

1. Compost? _________
2. Dumpster? _________
3. Dump? _________
4. Other? _________

i. Who maintains your school garden?

1. During the school year? _____________
2. During vacations? _____________
3. During the summer break? _____________

Landscaping

1. Lawn Care

a. How often does your school mow the lawn? ______________

1. Is it a regular schedule or does it vary with season and growth? _________________________________
2. Does your school observe Spare the Air Days? ___________

b.How does your school dispose of the grass clippings?

1. Compost? ___________
2. Dumpster? ___________
3. Dump? ___________
4. Left on ground (Mulching Mowers)? ____________
5. Other? ____________________________________

c.How often does your school fertilize the lawns? ___________

• Is it a regular schedule or does it vary with season and growth? _________________________________

d. How much fertilizer does your school apply per year to the lawns?

• Pounds per Acre? ___________________

e. What type of fertilizer does your school utilize on the lawns

1. Chemical fertilizers? _________________________________
2. Organic fertilizers? _________________________________
3. Compost? _________________________________
4. Other? _________________________________

2. Flower Beds

a. How efficient is your watering system?

1. What method do you use to supply your water? ______________
2. How much water does it take per year? _______________________

b.How do you maintain your soil fertility?

1. Chemical fertilizers? ___________
2. Organic fertilizers? ___________
3. Compost? ___________
4. Other? _________________________

c.How do you control weeds?

1. Pulling by hand? ___________
2. Herbicides (Brand Names, How Much, How Often)? ____________
3. Mulching (What materials do you use)? _______________________
4. Other? ______________________

d.How do you control pests?

1. Bio-Control (Explain what you have done) __________________
2. Insecticides (Brand Names, How Much, How Often)_________________________________________
3. Chemicals that protect against large animals (Cats, Birds)? ____________________________

e. How do you dispose of your waste at the end of the season or year?

1. Compost? _________
2. Dumpster? _________
3. Dump? _________
4. Other? _________

f. Who maintains your flower beds?

1. During the school year? _____________
2. During vacations? _____________
3. During the summer break? _____________

3. Yard Wastes (Leaves Etc.)

a. How does your school dispose of yard waste like leaves and trimmings?

1. Compost? _________
2. Dumpster? _________
3. Dump? _________
4. Left on ground (Mulching Mowers)? ___________
5. Other? ______________________

Composting

1. Does your school have a composting program? _________ (if "no", skip questions a and b)

a. What do you compost?

1. Waste from the garden? ____________
2. Waste from the cafeteria? _______________
3. Yard waste (grass clippings, leaves, trimmings)? ____________

b. How do you utilize your compost?

1. Soil amendment in our garden / school grounds? ____________
2. Mulch in our garden / school grounds? _______________
3. Sell it, Donate it, Give it away? _______________
4. Ends up in a landfill? _____________
5. Other? _______________________________

Transportation

NAME(S) _____________________________________

SCHOOL _____________________________________

DATE _____________________________________

Student Survey

For the student survey, you must ask the following questions of a random sample population from your school and then divide the number of sample responses for each question by the total number of students surveyed in order to determine a percentage for each result.

A minimum of 200 students should be surveyed ( the more, the better). The students you survey should be a random sample. For example, don’t’ choose all the AP English classes or all Seniors.

You might choose 50 students from each grade level and select them from classes that are heterogeneously mixed (or don’t select from classes at all).

How do you usually get to school?

• Car ________Percent of days = _____
  • Solo ______
  • Car pool with _______ people.
• Walk _______ Percent of days = _____
• Bike _______Percent of days = _____
• Bus _______Percent of days = _____
• Other _________Percent of days = _____

How many miles is it to school for you? ________________

If you drive or ride in a car to school, under what circumstances would you be willing to:

• Walk? _________________
• Bike? _________________
• Bus? _________________

4. What grade are you? ____________

5. Are you male or female? ___________

Faculty Survey

The faculty survey should be given in the same method as the student survey, however an attempt should be made to get results from all faculty members, including administrators and clerical.

What is your role at the school?

• teacher _________
• administrator _________
• clerical _________
• other _________

How do you usually get to school?

• Car ________Percent of days = _____
  • Solo ______
  • Car pool with _______ people.
• Walk _______ Percent of days = _____
• Bike _______Percent of days = _____
• Bus _______Percent of days = _____
• Other _________Percent of days = _____

How many miles is it to school for you? ____________

If you drive or ride in a car to school, under what circumstances would you be willing to:

• Walk? _________________
• Bike? _________________
• Bus? _________________

Summary:

What percent of students usually get to school by

• Car ______ %
  • Solo _____ %
  • Car pool _____ %
• Walk _____ %
• Bike _____%
• Bus _____%
• Other _____%

What percent of faculty usually get to school by

• Car ______ %
  • Solo _____ %
  • Car pool _____ %
• Walk _____ %
• Bike _____%
• Bus _____%
• Other _____%

Hazardous Substances

NAME(S) _______________________________

SCHOOL _______________________________

DATE _______________________________

Use the following questions to survey your school site for the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances. You will need to interview the appropriate school personnel for each area. Be sure to explain that this is only a survey and any action taken at a later time is meant only to help improve the current situation.

If you are not sure whether an item is hazardous, look on the label for "toxic", "flammable", "corrosive", or "irritant". DO NOT HANDLE HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES WITHOUT PROPER SUPERVISION AND PRECAUTIONS. Proper disposal methods can be obtained from the Earth Team 2000 web site.

Substance Storage

• Method__________________________________________
• Is This Proper?______________________

Substance Disposal

• Method__________________________________________
• Is This Proper?______________________

Science:
__ Acids ______________________________________________
__ Bases _____________________________________________
__ Organic solvents _____________________________________
__ Salts _____________________________________________
__ Metals ____________________________________________
__ Ammonia compounds ________________________________
__ Animals with preservatives _____________________________
__ Bacteria samples ____________________________________
__ Batteries ___________________________________________
__ Other _____________________________________________

Auto:
__ Antifreeze __________________________________________
__ Transmission fluid ____________________________________
__ Brake fluid _________________________________________
__ Used oil ___________________________________________
__ Car batteries _______________________________________
__ Gasoline __________________________________________
__ Cleansers and waxes _________________________________
__ Other _____________________________________________

PHOTOGRAPHY:
__ Chemicals for development _____________________________
__ Other _____________________________________________

ART, CRAFTS:
__ Paints ____________________________________________
__ Solvents __________________________________________
__ Adhesives _________________________________________
__ Other _____________________________________________

SHOPS - WOOD, METAL,ETC:
__ Paints ____________________________________________
__ Varnishes _________________________________________
__ Solvents __________________________________________
__ Adhesives _________________________________________
__ Other _____________________________________________

SHOPS - WOOD, METAL,ETC:
__ Pesticides ________________________________________
__ Insecticides _______________________________________
__ Cleansers ________________________________________
__ Paint ____________________________________________
__ Solvents _________________________________________
__ Pool chemicals ____________________________________
__ Fluorescent light ballast ______________________________
__ Asbestos (tiles, insulation) ____________________________
__ Other _____________________________________________

OTHER:
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Recycling/Waste Reduction

NAME(S) _____________________________________

SCHOOL _____________________________________

DATE _____________________________________

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN THE SPACES PROVIDED. YOU MAY NEED TO INTERVIEW A VARIETY OF PEOPLE TO DETERMINE THE ANSWERS TO THE SURVEY QUESTIONS; INCLUDING TEACHERS, CUSTODIANS, SECRETARIES, AND THE PRINCIPAL.

1. Are there any recycling programs in your school?

Yes:

• Individuals/clubs recycling occasionally
• Classroom-based recycling only
• School-site based only (all staff and students)
• District-wide based recycling
• Other

No: The school has decided not to recycle because: (check all that apply)

• Need more information
• Too expensive
• No need to recycle
• Too time- consuming
• Too hard to train staff/students
• Need district/board policy
• Lack of administrative/staff support
• Need support from hauling company
• Other

2. Does your school reduce waste through any of the following? (check all that apply)

Yes

• Encourage students and teachers to recycle lunch materials and trays
• Double/sided copying/printing
• Purchase products that can be recycled
• Reuse packaging and shipping containers(boxes, pails, etc.)
• Avoid products with excess packaging; purchase in bulk
• Purchase reusable products (rechargeable batteries, etc.)
• Electronic mail
• Purchase materials made with recycled content
• School waste reduction plan is in place
• District waste reduction plan is in place
• Staff/students take materials home to recycle
• Other

No

• School has not formally considered waste reduction
• School is currently considering a waste reduction program
• School has decided not to have a waste reduction program
• Other

3. Which materials are collected for recycling? (check all that apply)

Paper: Plastics:

• Paper meal trays&127; plastic meal trays
li>
• White paper&127; PETE #1 (liter soda bottles)
• Mixed paper&127; HDPE #2 (milk jugs)
• Cardboard&127; polystyrene #6
• Newspaper&127; mixed plastics
• Magazines&127; other
• Milk and juice cartons
• Other

Metals: &127; Glass:

• Aluminum meal trays
• Aluminum cans
• Steel or tin cans
• Scrap metal
• other

4. Who removes the school's recyclables?

Company name and city ______________________________________________

5. How is participation in waste reduction programs encouraged? (check all that apply)

• Site administrator directive
• Newsletters, announcements, etc.
• Students recycling clubs
• In-service training
• Mass media promotions
• Assemblies, fairs, etc.
• Contests
• Classroom instruction, activities
• Other

6. What assistance would your school need to improve its recycling/waste reduction program?

Information about:

• Recycling companies
• Model programs
• Assessing cost savings

Help with:

• Staff training inservice
• Classroom instruction
• Recycling supervision
• Policy making
• Forming volunteer groups to sustain program

Funds for:

• Equipment and bins
• Student incentives
• Other

7. What obstacles has your school encountered when attempting to implement a waste reduction program?

• Sanitation or safety concerns
• Transportation of recycled materials
• On-site collection
• Storage of materials
• Staffing and supervision
• Motivation of staff or students
• Funding or start-up costs
• Training staff and students
• Resistance to change
• Other
• Labor or union issues
• Time to implement

8. What do you think would improve recycling and waste reduction efforts in your school and district?

Energy

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING IN THE SPACES PROVIDED. YOU WILL NEED TO GET HELP FROM APPROPRIATE PEOPLE, INCLUDING CUSTODIANS AND TEACHERS.

NAME(S) ___________________________________________

SCHOOL ___________________________________________

DATE ___________________________________________

Does your school use the most energy efficient "T-8" fluorescent tube lighting? ( To determine this, measure a tube light. "T-8" lights are 1" in diameter and others will be larger. Or, you can look on the corner of a replacement bulb for a group of letters and numbers. If it has a "T-8" hidden in the number that’s good, if there’s a "T-12" or larger, that’s not as good)

Uses T-8 lighting _____Does not use T-8 _____

Survey the faculty at your school to determine the percent of teachers that turn off their lights when they leave their room (i.e., lunch, prep , after school, etc.).

• % teachers that turn off their lights = _______
• % teachers that don’t turn off their lights = ______

What type of air conditioning systems does your school use?

Is it an efficient system?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

What type of heating system does your school use? Is it an efficient system?

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

What type of water heaters does your school use? Are they efficient?

___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

How much electrical energy does your school use each month and how much does it cost?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Indoor Air Quality

Name(s) _______________________________________________________

School ________________________________________________________

Date __________________________________________________________

Use the following checklist to guide you through an Indoor Air Quality Walkthrough of your school site. Check each item that you observe and note whether the situation is OK or describe any obvious problems.

The Walkthrough inspection is not intended to be an intensive and detailed inspection, but rather a quick overview of the conditions that affect the quality of air within your school.

You may need to have someone who is familiar with the operations of the building, such as a custodian or plant supervisor, assist you during the inspection, particularly of certain areas, such as the roof.

During your Walkthrough inspection, you can learn a lot by using your sense of sight, smell, feeling, and hearing to gain information on factors that affect air quality. Look for pollutant sources such as mold, dirty air filters, blocked air intakes, or water damage. Smell odors such as mold, mildew, "chemical" smells or excessive perfumes. Feel for uncomfortable air temperatures, air flowing into or out of air vents, and high or low humidity. Listen to concerns of individuals about conditions, air blowing out of supply vents, or unusual equipment noises.

INDOOR INSPECTION

Classrooms and Other Areas:

• Location/Observation
• Are temperature and humidity within acceptable levels? __________________________
• Is air flowing into and out of the room as designed? Are supply and exhaust vents blocked? __________________________
• Are there objectionable odors?__________________________
• Are there signs of mold or mildew growth? Signs of water damage? __________________________
• Is the area generally clean and dust under control? __________________________
• Is there evidence of pests or obvious food sources? __________________________
• Do the room occupants report any concerns or problems? __________________________

Bathrooms and General Plumbing:

• Bathrooms and restrooms have Operating exhaust fans? _________________________
• All drains have traps?_________________________
• Are drain traps filled with water (floor, sink, toilet)? _________________________

Maintenance Supplies:

• Are odorous or hazardous chemicals used with adequate ventilation and when building is unoccupied? ________________________
• Is air exhausted from chemical storage areas and trash storage areas? ________________________

Combustion Appliances:

• Location/Observation
• Are combustion gas or fuel odors ever detected? _________________________
• Do combustion appliances have flues (e.g., furnaces, boilers,water heaters) or exhaust hoods (e.g., kitchen range, kilns)? ________________________
• Are there leaks, disconnections,deterioration, or soot in flue components? ________________________
• Is there evidence of backdrafting or gas spillage from appliances? ________________________

Other:

• If the building was built before 1980, is there any peeling or flaking paint inside or outside that may contain lead? _______________________
• Have radon measurements been performed? _______________________

OUTDOOR INSPECTION

Ground Level:

• Are ventilation units on and air is flowing into outdoor air intakes? _______________________
• Is there blockage to the outdoor air intakes (boards, vegetation,etc.)? _______________________
• Are there bird or animal nests or droppings near outdoor air intakes? _______________________
• Location/Observation
• Are garbage dumpsters located near doors, windows, or outdoor air intakes? _________________________
• Is there painting or maintenance of the exterior building in the vicinity of outdoor air intakes? _________________________
• Are there potential sources of air contaminants in the vicinity of the building (e.g., industrials stacks, chimneys, etc.)? _________________________
• Is there vehicle exhaust (auto, truck, bus) near outdoor air intakes? _________________________
• Is there exterior pesticide application? _________________________
• Do roof downspouts drain water away from building? _________________________
• Is there good site drainage away from buildings? _________________________
• Do sprinklers water excessively near buildings or over-spray onto building? _________________________
• Are there clean walk-off mats at every exterior entrance? _________________________

Roof:

• Is roof in good repair?________________________
• Is there evidence of ponding?________________________
• Are ventilation units on and air flowing into outdoor air intakes? ________________________
• Are outdoor air intakes open, even at minimum setting? ________________________
• Location/Observations
• Are there bird or animal nests or droppings near outdoor air intakes? ________________________
• Are there plumbing stacks within 10 feet of outdoor air intakes? ________________________
• Are exhaust fans operating and air flowing out? ________________________
• Are any exhaust air outlets within 10 feet of outdoor air intakes? ________________________

Attic:

• Is there evidence of roof or plumbing leaks? ________________________
• Are there bird or animal nests?_______________________