School Energy and Recycling Team

240-314-1090 • 301-279-3005 FAX

SERT@mcpsmd.org

www.GreenSchoolsFocus.org

The School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT)

program provides necessary resources to

staff and students at all Montgomery County

Public Schools (MCPS) to help foster a culture

of environmental conservation. The special

focus of the program is energy efficiency and

recycling participation. School-based SERT

teams, classroom activities, educational

resources, and various contests provide our

students with rich and rewarding experiences

in environmental stewardship.

THE SCHOOL ENERGY AND RECYCLING TEAM (SERT) program promotes efficient and

responsible energy use and active recycling programs in all Montgomery County Public Schools

(MCPS). The school-based program is implemented by a SERT team, comprised of a leader,

students, teachers, parents, building services managers, and staff from the administrative office.

Schools practice environmental stewardship and responsible recycling, and implement

strategies to earn quarterly SERT awards. Teams receive energy conservation and recycling

resources and customized support to implement their ideas for conservation.

The SERT program reinforces responsible energy use and encourages students and staff to think

“out of the box” regarding conservation. The SERT team leader has a great opportunity to

implement and guide energy conservation strategies throughout their school. Comprehensive

recycling programs are supported, developed, and recognized through the SERT program in

each school.

The first step in setting up an active school-based SERT

team is to form a plan for students and team members to

hold scheduled recurring meetings. Team meetings will

provide opportunities to brainstorm energy saving and

recycling strategies, and to implement throughout the

school. This document will help kick start the school-based

SERT program in your school.

It is important to learn about recycling, energy use, and

energy waste to manage and maintain effective

conservation strategies. Learning about your school facility

and the recycling stations and the appliances and equipment that use lots of energy is a great

start. Tour your school and get familiar with your facility while completing the energy and

recycling audit sheets.

Structuring your SERT team so that it works well for your school is important. You may find it

helpful to elect officers or assign titles and duties to different individuals. Decide whether or not

you need a team captain/president, secretary/scribe, project manager, computer sweepers,

recycling rovers, etc. This will take some brainstorming with your group and depend on their

ages and grade levels. Because each school is unique, schools define the structure and specifics

that provide the most benefit for their location.

It is helpful to develop a mission statement and goals that give your team something to strive

for—a performance measure. Visit our website (www.GreenSchoolsFocus.org) to find your

school’s energy and recycling data. You will also find many other valuable resources for SERT

teams on our website such as the SERT Best Practices guide, our monthly newsletter,

conservation flyers, forms, recycling resources, and energy-conservation initiatives.

School-based SERT Team Overview

If you need assistance starting your school-

based SERT team, contact your school’s

assigned SERT facilitator. We’re here to help

you have a successful program!

TEAM TIP

http://www.GreenSchoolsFocus.org

Adult Sponsor Guide

THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO LEAD THE SERT TEAM AT YOUR SCHOOL! The work you will

do for environmental conservation is greatly appreciated. Here are a few questions that you should

consider prior to your first school-based SERT team meeting:

1. How many students would you like to have on your team?

→ Develop a student contract.

→ Allow for growth and attrition.

2. How often should you hold meetings?

→ Identify and assign daily tasks outside of meetings.

→ Determine the schedule of possible outreach activities.

→ Try to schedule meetings with activity bus availability.

→ Know your school’s recycling pickup days.

3. Will you develop a mission statement for your team? You may want to use the SERT program’s

mission statement as a reference:

The School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) program provides support to significantly

reduce energy and natural resource consumption and increase recycling participation

systemwide through:

• Sustainability training and education

• Incentives, recognition, and awards

• Accessible energy and recycling data

• Customized energy and environmental conservation programs and learning opportunities

• Conservation operations and procedures

4. What are some of the attainable goals that will help the students feel a sense of accomplishment?

→ Celebrate individual and team achievements with awards and certificates.

→ Recognize classrooms, teachers, or groups who succeed in recycling and energy conservation

strategies set by your team.

5. What plans do you have for spending any SERT awards

earned? Keep in mind that planning ahead for spending

your award funds will help to motivate your students!

6. Have you been in contact with the SERT facilitator

assigned to your school? They are here to support

you and your program. Find your facilitator’s name

and contact information on our website. TEAM TIP

Create a twitter account for your SERT team.

Tweet photographs of your team in action

and tag #mcpsSERT! We may spotlight your

team in our monthly newsletter!

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/greenschoolsfocus/resources.aspx

• Introduce yourself and the SERT program.

• Have students introduce themselves with an ice-breaker activity.

→ Name, teacher or grade, interests

→ How many computers do you have at home?

→ What is your favorite electric appliance or gadget?

• Talk about basic forms of energy, energy use and recycling. Discuss the relationships

between energy use, recycling, and conservation. Provide age-appropriate website links.

• Discuss the electrical audit. This is key to understanding the energy use in your building.

• Discuss the recycling audit and why doing an inventory of your recycling infrastructure is

a smart way to start a successful program.

• Talk about the structure of your SERT team and elect or appoint students to fill key

positions. Set team meeting times.

• Conceptualize ideas for conservation and develop a basic understanding on why it is

important now and for our future.

• Get the students to commit to the program!

Suggested Agenda Items for Your

First School-based SERT Team Meeting

TEAM TIP

Visit our website for information about field

trips, an ice breaker, word search, light

switch cover templates, and many more

activities for your SERT team!

School Energy and Recycling Team DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

45 West Gude Drive, Suite 4000 | Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 240-314-1090 | Fax: 301-279-3005 | E-mail: SERT@mcpsmd.org

SERT Team Electrical Audit

School Name:

School Number:

Electrical Audit Performed By:

Date of Audit:

INSTRUCTIONS: Walk through your building and count the items that are using electricity. Go a step further and use

the watt calculator spreadsheet to find out how much these items are costing MCPS. Your SERT

facilitator is available to help in this process. Email completed forms to SERT at SERT@mcpsmd.org.

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H A L L W A Y S , G Y M N A S I U M S , M U L T I - P U R P O S E R O O M S , C O M M O N A R E A S

Area Overhead

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Overhead Lights

Vending Machines

Water Fountains

mailto:SERT@mcpsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/facilities/greenschoolsfocus/wattscalculator.xlsmailto:SERT@mcpsmd.org

TEAM TIP

Consider conducting energy conservation-

related contests for students, teachers, or

classrooms. Get everyone involved!

Electrical Audit Review

AFTER COMPLETING A SERT TEAM ELECTRICAL AUDIT, please consider the following questions

and determine what your SERT team can do to conserve energy. These questions may help set your

goals for energy conservation.

1. How many square feet are in your building?

2. How many exterior doors are in your school?

3. Are exterior doors closed during the day and after school?

4. Are window blinds closed at the end of the day?

5. How many computer labs does your school have?

6. How many computers are in your school?

7. How many printers are in your school?

8. How many hours are they turned on?

9. Who shuts down the computers?

10. What time is computer equipment shut down?

11. Are the classroom lights turned off when the classrooms are not occupied?

12. Do you see small home appliances in the classrooms?

13. How can the information above be used to save energy?

School Energy and Recycling Team DEPARTMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

45 West Gude Drive, Suite 4000 | Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 240-314-1090 | Fax: 301-279-3005 | E-mail: recycling@mcpsmd.org

SERT Team Recycling Audit

School Name:

School Number:

Recycling Audit Performed By:

Floor:

Wing / Hallway:

INSTRUCTIONS: As you check the hallways, classrooms, auditorium and other areas of your school, please indicate

which items are missing. Email completed forms to SERT at recycling@mcpsmd.org.

C L A S S R O O M S A N D O F F I C E S

Room # Deskside Bin Paper Slim Jim Bin Paper Slim Jim Lid

Commingled Slim Jim Bin

Commingled Slim Jim Lid

One deskside and one paper Slim Jim bin per room High schools only

H A L L W A Y S

Area Centralized

Station Paper Slim

Jim Bin Paper Slim

Jim Lid Commingled Slim Jim Bin

Commingled Slim Jim Lid

Recycling Awareness

Posters

C A F E T E R I A / M U L T I - P U R P O S E R O O M

Commingled Bin Commingled Lid Paper Bin Recycling Awareness

Posters

mailto:recycling@mcpsmd.orgmailto:recycling@mcpsmd.org

TEAM TIP

MCPS recycles in accordance with

Montgomery County’s recycling regulations

so all of the items that you recycle at school

can also be recycled at your home!

Recycling Audit Review

AFTER COMPLETING A SERT TEAM RECYCLING A UDIT, please consider the following questions

and determine what your SERT team can do to increase recycling participation. These questions may

help set your goals.

1. Have you reviewed the audit with your building services manager?

2. Large types of commingled materials (cans, bottles, boxes, etc.) are very common in MCPS

kitchens. Have you spoken with the cafeteria manager to make sure that there are adequate

large recycling bins in the kitchen area?

3. Have you reviewed the “Recycle Wisely” flyer with your team so that everyone knows what can

and cannot be recycled in MCPS?

4. Do you know when your school’s recycling dumpsters are services? The schedule is on our

website. Knowing your pickup day(s) is key to knowing when classroom pickups should take

place.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/facilities/greenschoolsfocus/Recycle_Wisely.pdfhttps://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/facilities/greenschoolsfocus/dumpsters.aspx

School-based SERT Team Setup Checklist

1. Our team will be called _________________________________________________________________________

2. Our SERT team leader is ________________________________, email __________________________________

3. The club will meet ________ time(s) each week month in room ___________________.

4. Meetings will be held on Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays Fridays

5. We expect to have a least ________ members participate in each meeting.

6. We have completed the following items:

project list top 5 immediate goals list of future goals

student pledges energy savings expectations expectations for recycling

plans for using SERT award funds energy audit recycling audit

7. We have elected or appointed the following students to be our leaders:

8. Our school-based SERT team members are (do not repeat names of leaders listed above):

NAME OF STUDENT POSITION

school name: school number: electrical audit performed by: electrical audit date: room 1: room 2: room 3: room 4: room 5: room 6: room 7: room 8: room 9: room 10: room 11: room 12: room 13: lights 1: lights 2: lights 3: lights 4: lights 5: lights 6: lights 7: lights 8: lights 9: lights 10: lights 11: lights 12: lights 13: PB 1: PB 2: PB 3: PB 4: PB 5: PB 6: PB 7: PB 8: PB 9: PB 10: PB 11: PB 12: PB 13: computers 1: computers 2: computers 3: computers 4: computers 5: computers 6: computers 7: computers 8: computers 9: computers 10: computers 11: computers 12: computers 13: Chromebooks 1: Chromebooks 2: Chromebooks 3: Chromebooks 4: Chromebooks 5: Chromebooks 6: Chromebooks 7: Chromebooks 8: Chromebooks 9: Chromebooks 10: Chromebooks 11: Chromebooks 12: Chromebooks 13: charging stations 1: charging stations 2: charging stations 3: charging stations 4: charging stations 5: charging stations 6: charging stations 7: charging stations 8: charging stations 9: charging stations 10: charging stations 11: charging stations 12: charging stations 13: appliances 3: appliances 1: appliances 2: appliances 4: appliances 5: appliances 6: appliances 7: appliances 8: appliances 9: appliances 10: appliances 11: appliances 12: appliances 13: small appliances 6: small appliances 1: small appliances 2: small appliances 3: small appliances 4: small appliances 5: small appliances 7: small appliances 8: small appliances 9: small appliances 10: small appliances 11: small appliances 12: small appliances 13: equipment 9: equipment 1: equipment 2: equipment 3: equipment 4: equipment 5: equipment 6: equipment 7: equipment 8: equipment 10: equipment 11: equipment 12: equipment 13: small equipment 12: small equipment 1: small equipment 2: small equipment 3: small equipment 4: small equipment 5: small equipment 6: small equipment 7: small equipment 8: small equipment 9: small equipment 10: small equipment 11: other 1: other 2: other 3: other 4: other 5: other 6: other 7: other 8: other 9: other 10: other 11: other 12: other 13: area 5: overhead 2: overhead 3: overhead 4: overhead 5: vending 1: vending 2: vending 3: vending 4: vending 5: fountains 1: fountains 2: fountains 3: fountains 4: fountains 5: area 6: area 7: area 8: area 9: area 10: overhead 6: overhead 7: overhead 8: overhead 9: overhead 1: overhead 10: vending 6: vending 7: vending 8: vending 9: vending 10: fountains 6: fountains 7: fountains 8: fountains 9: fountains 10: recycling school: school #: recycling auditor: floor: wing/hallway: Room #1: Room # 2: Room # 3: Room # 4: Room # 5: Room # 6: Room # 7: Room # 8: deskside 1: deskside 2: deskside 3: deskside 4: deskside 5: deskside 6: deskside 7: deskside 8: slim bin 3: slim bin 2: slim bin 1: slim bin 4: slim bin 5: slim bin 6: slim bin 7: slim bin 8: slim lid 1: slim lid 2: slim lid 3: slim lid 4: slim lid 5: slim lid 6: slim lid 7: slim lid 8: commingled bin 8: commingled bin 1: commingled bin 2: commingled bin 3: commingled bin 4: commingled bin 5: commingled bin 6: commingled bin 7: commingled lid 1: commingled lid 2: commingled lid 3: commingled lid 4: commingled lid 5: commingled lid 6: commingled lid 7: commingled lid 8: area 1: area 2: area 3: area 4: station 1: station 2: station 3: station 4: hall paper bin 1: hall paper bin 2: hall paper bin 3: hall paper bin 4: hall paper lid 1: hall paper lid 2: hall paper lid 3: hall paper lid 4: hall commingled bin 1: hall commingled bin 2: hall commingled bin 3: hall commingled bin 4: hall commingled lid 1: hall commingled lid 2: hall commingled lid 3: hall commingled lid 4: posters 1: posters 2: posters 3: posters 4: cafe commingled bin 1: cafe commingled bin 2: cafe commingled lid 1: cafe commingled lid 2: cafe paper bin 1: cafe paper bin 2: cafe posters 1: cafe posters 2: team name: leader name: leader's email: # of times: meeting room #: number: student 1: student 2: student 3: student 4: student 5: position 1: position 2: position 3: position 4: position 5: student 6: student 7: student 8: student 9: student 10: student 11: student 12: student 13: student 14: student 15: student 16: student 17: student 18: student 19: student 20: student 21: student 22: student 23: month: Offweek: OffMon: OffTue: OffWed: OffThur: OffFri: Offproject list: Offpledges: Offplans for SERT awards: Offimmediate goals: Offenergy expectations: Offenergy audit: Offfuture goals: Offrecycling expectations: Offrecycling audit: Off