In 2007 Portland spent $1.4 million on heating oil for our schools. That is more than 6 times the amount spent on textbooks. With numbers like that, we cannot afford not to invest in energy efficiency. One investment that I will push for is the use of solar thermal energy to heat the water for the pool and showers at Reiche Community Center.
The Reiche Community Center Pool is a terrific facility. It is a place for the community to gather, take swim lessons, or simply enjoy their daily exercise. But to keep the water warm we're burning big bucks. It is a worthy expense considering the fantastic resource the community receives in return, but with solar energy we can save money and reduce carbon emissions.
Not many know that Maine is actually the sunniest state in New England. In fact, Maine receives more sunshine per year than Germany, the world leader in solar installations. And today is the best time ever to invest in solar, with solar systems being more affordable than ever -- they have dropped by roughly 30% just over the past year.
I visited Revision Energy, a local contractor, to learn more about solar energy. They told me of a solar hot water project they recently completed for the pool at the Boys & Girls Club in South Portland. It is expected to reduce annual oil consumption by roughly 4,500 gallons, which equates to yearly CO2 reductions of roughly 99,000 lbs. The project will pay for itself in less than five years.
After installment of a solar hot water system at Reiche, we could expect savings of 6-8% immediately. After 4-8 years there could be 100% savings, and this could be achieved even sooner if stimulus funds were made available. But the most important savings are for the environment. For every gallon of oil saved, there is a corresponding reduction of CO2 emissions of 22.3 lbs! That adds up to a brighter future for our community.
Energy efficiency is the most important thing we can invest in. We can save money while building a more sustainable community.
October 17, 2009
October 3, 2009
Greening our Schools: School Composting
Greening our schools doesn't necessarily involve huge capital improvements. Sure solar panels for hot water would be fantastic. Switching from oil to natural gas for heating would be a step in the right direction. How about the smaller purchases like energy efficient lights? A good idea, but greening our schools doesn't have to include purchasing anything. We can save money, reduce carbon emissions, and teach ourselves and our students to be smart stewards of the environment by implementing simple cost-free programs.
A lot can be accomplished by changing habits. Turning off lights when you leave a room is a basic but important lesson we've all learned, and when we all do it, we help the environment in a big way. Changes in our daily routines produce the most profound effects.
I have recycled since a was a child, before it was in all our schools and everywhere we go. And now I can't imagine not recycling. It is simply a part of my routine, as it is for most of us. I'm glad that today our students and schools recycle as a part of their routine. But recycling paper and cans is just a beginning. What about taking recycling to the next step, and starting a school composting program?
School composting will recycle natural resources, reduce the amount of waste that needs to be hauled off to the landfill, and create a useful product, the finished compost, that could be used in landscaping or community gardening. Most importantly, school composting will educate the community about the importance of responsible waste management and being good stewards of the environment. And it is inexpensive and easy. In fact, it could save money!
If we want greener schools, we need to think beyond facilities. We should address our habits and start changing them for the better.
A lot can be accomplished by changing habits. Turning off lights when you leave a room is a basic but important lesson we've all learned, and when we all do it, we help the environment in a big way. Changes in our daily routines produce the most profound effects.
I have recycled since a was a child, before it was in all our schools and everywhere we go. And now I can't imagine not recycling. It is simply a part of my routine, as it is for most of us. I'm glad that today our students and schools recycle as a part of their routine. But recycling paper and cans is just a beginning. What about taking recycling to the next step, and starting a school composting program?
School composting will recycle natural resources, reduce the amount of waste that needs to be hauled off to the landfill, and create a useful product, the finished compost, that could be used in landscaping or community gardening. Most importantly, school composting will educate the community about the importance of responsible waste management and being good stewards of the environment. And it is inexpensive and easy. In fact, it could save money!
If we want greener schools, we need to think beyond facilities. We should address our habits and start changing them for the better.
September 27, 2009
Laptops for High Schoolers and School Equity
I applaud the decision to give our high school students laptops. This decision by the School Committee has finally brought to the high schools what Portland's middle school students have had for years. Also, the decision was made in a fiscally responsible way by buying more affordable Dell computers (I like Macs, but they aren't cheap). While this is all good news, we need to look beyond the issue of laptops to a larger developing situation throughout the school system: School Inequity.
The Portland School System has experienced years of declining enrollment and demographic shifts that have led to overcrowded schools in some neighborhoods and underutilized schools in others. Meanwhile there are technological and program changes that have not reached every school. This creates a school system that is in need of realignment and forward thinking policies to create an equitable system. The good news is that the trend of falling enrollment rates seems to be leveling. However, we have to deal with the inequity that our recent history has created.
A process of strategic planning is the solution, with the ultimate goal of bringing all schools to near-capacity operations with facilities that are capable of handling 21st Century Education. A school that operates near-capacity is cost-effective and educationally efficient. This will maximize educational returns while improving working conditions for students, teachers and staff.
What does it mean to have schools that are prepared for a 21st Century Education? It means small group space, teacher work space, and well-equipped science rooms. If we bring the schools that are lacking these things in-line with those that were designed or upgraded to meet the demands of 21st Century Education, then we will have a more equitable school system.
The School Committee should consider this a process and proceed thoughtfully with an eye towards fiscal responsibility. The Committee must ensure also that Portland families are involved. Every decision should be made with the thought of maximizing the funds used in the most efficient and effective way. Ultimately, school equity is an essential measure to assure that all students are learning for their futures.
The Portland School System has experienced years of declining enrollment and demographic shifts that have led to overcrowded schools in some neighborhoods and underutilized schools in others. Meanwhile there are technological and program changes that have not reached every school. This creates a school system that is in need of realignment and forward thinking policies to create an equitable system. The good news is that the trend of falling enrollment rates seems to be leveling. However, we have to deal with the inequity that our recent history has created.
A process of strategic planning is the solution, with the ultimate goal of bringing all schools to near-capacity operations with facilities that are capable of handling 21st Century Education. A school that operates near-capacity is cost-effective and educationally efficient. This will maximize educational returns while improving working conditions for students, teachers and staff.
What does it mean to have schools that are prepared for a 21st Century Education? It means small group space, teacher work space, and well-equipped science rooms. If we bring the schools that are lacking these things in-line with those that were designed or upgraded to meet the demands of 21st Century Education, then we will have a more equitable school system.
The School Committee should consider this a process and proceed thoughtfully with an eye towards fiscal responsibility. The Committee must ensure also that Portland families are involved. Every decision should be made with the thought of maximizing the funds used in the most efficient and effective way. Ultimately, school equity is an essential measure to assure that all students are learning for their futures.
September 19, 2009
What is Expeditionary Learning?
During my campaign I have been talking a lot about innovative education models. This means using cutting-edge technology and integrating it into the curriculum. It means having schools that are designed for 21st Century education--with small group discussion space, teacher work space, and well-equipped science rooms. It also means forward thinking curricula. And the example I use to explain what an innovative curriculum can look like is expeditionary learning.
Expeditionary learning is a project-based curriculum where students complete fieldwork and research to produce a professional-style project. For instance, a recent expedition at King Middle School was called Portland by the Numbers. The students collected data to answer the question: How do kids rate the livability of Portland? They presented there findings, gathered through interviews and analysis, to city officials.
Expeditionary learning is now at place not only at King Middle School, but also Casco Bay High School, and the East End Community School. And all these schools have successes to share. At King, for instance, English Language Learners and special education students have been mainstreamed into regular classes. Also, student involvement in extracurricular activities and sports has increased. At Casco Bay students are testing well above state averages, and are now being offered opportunities to take college courses. In other words, expeditionary learning works.
If you would like to find out more about expeditionary learning and the possibilities it presents for our schools, please visit portlandschools.org and follow the links to the individual schools. Hopefully, you will find yourself as excited by the achievements of Portland's learners as I am.
Expeditionary learning is a project-based curriculum where students complete fieldwork and research to produce a professional-style project. For instance, a recent expedition at King Middle School was called Portland by the Numbers. The students collected data to answer the question: How do kids rate the livability of Portland? They presented there findings, gathered through interviews and analysis, to city officials.
Expeditionary learning is now at place not only at King Middle School, but also Casco Bay High School, and the East End Community School. And all these schools have successes to share. At King, for instance, English Language Learners and special education students have been mainstreamed into regular classes. Also, student involvement in extracurricular activities and sports has increased. At Casco Bay students are testing well above state averages, and are now being offered opportunities to take college courses. In other words, expeditionary learning works.
If you would like to find out more about expeditionary learning and the possibilities it presents for our schools, please visit portlandschools.org and follow the links to the individual schools. Hopefully, you will find yourself as excited by the achievements of Portland's learners as I am.
September 13, 2009
Expanded Early Childhood Education at Reiche
Is it time to develop a Preschool program at Reiche? How about full-day Kindergarten?
The benefits to the community of Early Childhood education cannot be doubted. A community with Portland's demographics, with many students from transient family situations and large numbers of English Language Learners, would especially benefit. Early Childhood programs increase student achievement, reducing the likelihood of grade retention or placement in Special Education and increasing the probability of graduation from high school. Investing in Early Childhood programs pays dividends well into the future and throughout the community.
What about the costs? Studies show that the long-term financial benefits are many. Spending on strong early childhood education leads to lower costs related to remedial services, criminal justice spending and welfare costs. Not to mention the savings associated with developmental issues that are decreased with strong Preschool and full-day Kindergarten.
Reiche might be positioned to be the right school to begin expanding Early Childhood programs in Portland. It is currently operating under capacity and has a flexible open design. This creates a situation where a small program could be integrated with relatively little cost. As such, if School Committee decides to begin the measured process of expanding Early Childhood education, it should consider Reiche as the place to begin. It would benefit not only the Reiche community, but all the families of Portland.
The benefits to the community of Early Childhood education cannot be doubted. A community with Portland's demographics, with many students from transient family situations and large numbers of English Language Learners, would especially benefit. Early Childhood programs increase student achievement, reducing the likelihood of grade retention or placement in Special Education and increasing the probability of graduation from high school. Investing in Early Childhood programs pays dividends well into the future and throughout the community.
What about the costs? Studies show that the long-term financial benefits are many. Spending on strong early childhood education leads to lower costs related to remedial services, criminal justice spending and welfare costs. Not to mention the savings associated with developmental issues that are decreased with strong Preschool and full-day Kindergarten.
Reiche might be positioned to be the right school to begin expanding Early Childhood programs in Portland. It is currently operating under capacity and has a flexible open design. This creates a situation where a small program could be integrated with relatively little cost. As such, if School Committee decides to begin the measured process of expanding Early Childhood education, it should consider Reiche as the place to begin. It would benefit not only the Reiche community, but all the families of Portland.
August 30, 2009
Anthony's Platform
The signatures have been verified and we are officially on the ballot!
A kickoff party will be held Saturday, September 5th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at my and Anna Trevorrow's place: 612 Congress St. # 3. All are welcome! Share an evening of good company, beverages and refreshments with a dynamic candidate in Portland's most exciting municipal race this year!
Here are some of my early ideas for what I would do on School Committee:
Promote equal access to education in order to increase student retention and ensure a positive future for Portland's youth.
Develop green school facilities, which would reduce long-term costs and ensure an environmentally healthy atmosphere.
Support innovative curriculum design such as project-based and experiential learning to engage students in their own learning, and meet the demands of a 21st Century education.
Accelerate our schools as neighborhood resource centers to promote a sense of community and create safe havens for students and neighbors alike.
Come join us to kick off the People for Anthony Zeli Campaign!
FMI contact Team Z @ zelidistrict2@gmail.com
A kickoff party will be held Saturday, September 5th beginning at 7:00 p.m. at my and Anna Trevorrow's place: 612 Congress St. # 3. All are welcome! Share an evening of good company, beverages and refreshments with a dynamic candidate in Portland's most exciting municipal race this year!
Here are some of my early ideas for what I would do on School Committee:
Promote equal access to education in order to increase student retention and ensure a positive future for Portland's youth.
Develop green school facilities, which would reduce long-term costs and ensure an environmentally healthy atmosphere.
Support innovative curriculum design such as project-based and experiential learning to engage students in their own learning, and meet the demands of a 21st Century education.
Accelerate our schools as neighborhood resource centers to promote a sense of community and create safe havens for students and neighbors alike.
Come join us to kick off the People for Anthony Zeli Campaign!
FMI contact Team Z @ zelidistrict2@gmail.com
August 22, 2009
An Introduction
Hello, fellow Portlanders. My name is Anthony Zeli, and I'm running for School Committee in District 2, which includes the West End, Parkside, St. John Valley and Oakdale neighborhoods. I want to use this first blog entry to briefly introduce myself.
I first came to Maine after graduating from Marlboro College in 2003, in order to be with my partener of 8 years, Anna Trevorrow. I have been proud to live and work in Portland ever since and cannot imagine a better place to live.
I work at WGME, Channel 13, as a Broadcast Technician. I am also currently invovled in creating a nonprofit organization to promote the film industry in Maine. So it is not surprising that growing the creative economy is an interest of mine, and I hope that being a member of the School Committee will afford me oppurtunities to create relationships between the schools and our arts and culture enterprises.
Outside of work I have been invovled with local and statewide politics and community activism. I cannot imagine a life without serving the community in my spare time. Politics is so often stigmatized as a nasty and unfortunately even dishonest business. But, the truth is, the majority of the people who choose to run for office truly care about their neighbors, and they work tirelessly to make positive differences in our lives. I have been proud to help many fine candidates run for office, advance the debate, and get elected.
And now it is my turn. I was hesitant to jump into the public spotlight. It definitely isn't an easy decision. I have a great amount of support, though, and I have the time and energy to devote to the position if I am lucky enough to be chosen by the voters of Portland.
Here are some of the initial issues I want to work on and talk about in the campaign:
1. We should continue to invest in Reiche as a community center. Our schools are for all of us, and I want to work to bring our community together around our schools and the education of our youth.
2. Let's "green" our facilities with more efficient heating and insulation. Oil is one of our largest budget lines. Why are we burning our money away? We can heat water with solar power, use natural gas, and upgrade windows and insulation with money that is being provided by the State and Federal governments for just those purposes. This will save local taxpayers an amazing amount of money in the long term.
3. We need to improve our student retention rate by advertising our excellent schools and working with the city to provide more housing downtown.
4. We should explore creative ways to reduce expenditures without cutting existing social services.
5. After working with my partner, Anna Trevorrow, I have learned a great deal about progressive education models, and want to support and expand the expeditionary learning programs.
During the months ahead I hope to have a dialog with my neighbors and learn about your concerns. So don't hesitate to contact me: zelidistrict2@gmail.com.
I first came to Maine after graduating from Marlboro College in 2003, in order to be with my partener of 8 years, Anna Trevorrow. I have been proud to live and work in Portland ever since and cannot imagine a better place to live.
I work at WGME, Channel 13, as a Broadcast Technician. I am also currently invovled in creating a nonprofit organization to promote the film industry in Maine. So it is not surprising that growing the creative economy is an interest of mine, and I hope that being a member of the School Committee will afford me oppurtunities to create relationships between the schools and our arts and culture enterprises.
Outside of work I have been invovled with local and statewide politics and community activism. I cannot imagine a life without serving the community in my spare time. Politics is so often stigmatized as a nasty and unfortunately even dishonest business. But, the truth is, the majority of the people who choose to run for office truly care about their neighbors, and they work tirelessly to make positive differences in our lives. I have been proud to help many fine candidates run for office, advance the debate, and get elected.
And now it is my turn. I was hesitant to jump into the public spotlight. It definitely isn't an easy decision. I have a great amount of support, though, and I have the time and energy to devote to the position if I am lucky enough to be chosen by the voters of Portland.
Here are some of the initial issues I want to work on and talk about in the campaign:
1. We should continue to invest in Reiche as a community center. Our schools are for all of us, and I want to work to bring our community together around our schools and the education of our youth.
2. Let's "green" our facilities with more efficient heating and insulation. Oil is one of our largest budget lines. Why are we burning our money away? We can heat water with solar power, use natural gas, and upgrade windows and insulation with money that is being provided by the State and Federal governments for just those purposes. This will save local taxpayers an amazing amount of money in the long term.
3. We need to improve our student retention rate by advertising our excellent schools and working with the city to provide more housing downtown.
4. We should explore creative ways to reduce expenditures without cutting existing social services.
5. After working with my partner, Anna Trevorrow, I have learned a great deal about progressive education models, and want to support and expand the expeditionary learning programs.
During the months ahead I hope to have a dialog with my neighbors and learn about your concerns. So don't hesitate to contact me: zelidistrict2@gmail.com.
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