A2Schools Podcast | Bonus Episode - AAPS Environmental Sustainability Framework | November 30, 2022

AAPS Environmental Sustainability Framework
Presented to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education
November 30, 2022

View the plan here: https://www.a2schools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=18978 

Mission: The Ann Arbor Public Schools is committed to care for the environment, to model and achieve an environmentally sustainable existence. We demonstrate this commitment, both through our critical mission of educating generations of students as strong stewards of the environment, and also in living an environmental commitment with every decision across every area of the organization. 

Vision: In all decisions, we embody and live the deeply held value of caring for the earth and our environment.  Individual, team and district decisions are consistent with care for the earth. 

Introduction: The Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) serves a central role in the education of generations of students in our community. As the Ann Arbor community faces the opportunities and challenges of the climate crisis, AAPS fully embraces its responsibility in the community and joins our many partners in working towards shared environmental sustainability goals. 

In considering our commitment for sustainability minded change, and recognizing the unparalleled potential within our critical mission of educating generations of students who are climate literate and action oriented, we also recognize the key importance of modeling authentic climate and educational practice by demonstrating sound environmental sustainability solutions through innovative and informed organizational behavior. 

Our most important contribution to addressing the climate crisis will be in leveraging our central role in education. We will empower our next generation to act as good stewards of the environment, to become active in climate mitigation and adaptation in their professional and personal lives, and impart in them the confidence, wisdom, hope and inspiration to be resilient in facing the many challenges of the climate crisis. 

Keeping students at the center, the work of AAPS will have a collective impact on broader systems in our neighborhoods, city, region, and world. It is the next generation- in our schools today- that will face the increasing impacts of climate change. By empowering them with a climate informed education, AAPS will help create the foundation for their success, and ultimately the success of our community, in rising to meet an uncertain climate change future.