WellesleyWeston Magazine

FALL 2012

Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.

Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/78488

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 75 of 211

Back to School To see the interactive dashboads, go to: www.buildingdashboard.com/clients/wellesley/ above: The 40-kilowatt photovoltaic system produces enough energy to operate 900 laptop computers right: The interactive dashboard screen in the main lobby is part of the Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical educa- tional program. It tracks building performance, including energy and water use, and provides detailed information on the school's green technology bottom right: WHS class of '80 and parent of class of '12 twins shares her excitement about the green aspects of the new school on Facebook harvesting system that uses storm water for toilet flushing, and a rooftop photovoltaic system that generates enough power to operate 900 laptop computers. Possibly the most exciting sustainable design feature is the interactive dashboard screen in the main lobby. It con- nects to the school's energy management system and displays building performance, keeping energy efficiency top-of-mind and easily incor- porated it into the curriculum. (Visit the school or www.buildingdash- board.com/clients/wellesley/ to see for yourself.) Ian Speers, 2011/2012 president of Key Club, Vice President of the Student Congress, and Representative to the School Council and School Committee, among other extracurricular positions, recognizes the importance of an envi- ronmentally friendly school, "I appreciate the effort that the building committee and architects put into making this school as green as it is." Not everyone embraced the idea for a new school with open arms. Adam Cluff, an English teacher at WHS and a class of '97 graduate known for his prowess on the basketball court, was not a supporter, that is, until he experienced the new building for himself. …As we approached our final weeks and days in the old building, I felt a deep sense of loss—grief, almost, for the passing of a venerable repository of such greatness, and so many memories, both personal 74 Cheri Brand Clark Just came from a "green" tour of the new WHS, given by Ann Rappaport! Wow. For those of you watching this sort of thing, here are some of the features: low-VOC building materials (so, no off-gassing smell!!!); FSC-certified wood (renewable resource); huge recycling pro- gram; some geothermal heat/AC; massive rainwater collection tank, so they use "gray" water to flush toilets, thereby saving the MWRA cost; Smart Boards and white boards (no more chalk) in every classroom; many features/windows to maximize natural light and less need for elec- tricity; white roof to reflect heat. Also, 93% of the old WHS is being recy- cled!!!!! So great to see our tax dollars being used in such an environ- mentally responsible way! WellesleyWeston Magazine | fall 2012

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of WellesleyWeston Magazine - FALL 2012