Signed into law in December, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 offers a number of provisions addressing school nutrition and school lunch program operations. In general, the provisions will provide money, support systems, greater accountability an
We would like to challenge schools to take on a new resolution this year and, more importantly, see it through. So here it is: As good stewards of education at [INSERT YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE], we resolve to help our district take better take care of ou
Since 2005, the Salt Lake City School District has been implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), drastically reducing both pest problems and pesticide use. Last month, the district passed a rigorous 37-point inspection of its program, earning IPM ST
The next time you seen one of those brilliant digital billboards along the road, think about the role that technology might play in your school or district. Digital signs are the first step toward school- and district-wide video communications systems tha
With proper planning, it is absolutely possible to achieve a desired look for an educational facility while remaining within a finite budget. Furthermore, one can select materials that don't cost much, yet will go the distance in terms of longevity.
Any school or school system that fails to specifically train, empower and encourage all of its employees to actively seek to identify potentially dangerous situations and take appropriate corrective actions is wasting precious resources and has serious li
Those who will be successful are those who have stopped mourning for the old economy, stopped poking it with a sharp stick to see if it moves and started thinking about what can be done with what we now have. It is much like working through the five stage
In 1997, the "school of the future" Disney Development Corp.'s (DDC) Celebration School opened in Orlando. Thirteen years later, what lessons have been learned from the nationally recognized project, and how have they influenc
Taking bids for any type of product or service can be a harrowing experience for school facility managers. Some managers may not be well prepared for the process or may underestimate the steps involved. And, because many contractors require multi-year con
Preventive maintenance is an important subject in our business. With shrinking budgets we are often put in a position of deferring maintenance and pushing the cost down the road. This is not a preferred method, but it is often the option we choose due to
With academic funding cuts, and an emphasis on standardized testing crowding out creativity in the classroom, educators are finding an affordable, hands-on solution with solar-powered, robot-building kits, one example is the Mini Solar Kits, that encourag
Not long ago, the mantra was that the library should be at the center of the school. Not only should the library be at the center of the school, it should be large. The size and prominence of the library became the mark of the educational standing of the
Access control is no longer just about locking doors. Today, access control is about a total integration of equipment, technology and manpower. The buzzword these days is "convergence." Basically, this is the idea of tying electronic or physical
While technology evolves at light speed, buildings don't. Bringing school facilities in step with modern learning requires complex phased renovations, meticulously planned around academic calendars. Since educational continuity and safety are the chief co
Effective access control systems in K-12 schools include technology and people. Depending on its risk profile, a school might employ electronic access control, visitor management technology, intrusion alarms and video cameras. But, as Timm observes, the b
While green movement is gaining steam in the education sector, even simple changes can make a difference.
Recently I was asked how many fires really occur in kindergarten through high school occupancies. The context of the question was in relation to how much time should be spent on fire and life safety issues in schools given all the other responsibilities o
Sage on the stage, independent study, collaborative teaming, hands-on/project-based teaching methodologies and many other learning/teaching styles and methods that have evolved and transitioned throughout the years will not be thinking of the past, but wi
As more school districts across the nation embrace renewable energy technologies, many are now considering the merits of photovoltaic systems. This technology is a form of solar energy that converts sunlight to electricity through the use of photovoltaic