Sustainability & Climate Justice

Over the last few months, students and staff members have come together to plan and submit over 40 proposals for student-led climate projects in each of their schools!!!

It has been a pleasure to see future climate leaders tackle issues that are affecting their communities!

We have had the opportunity to visit with many student groups and see the fantastic planning work they have already done. Student groups are taking on projects like green infrastructure, education campaigns, waste reduction, active transportation, and much more! We look forward to continuing to work with student groups to make their projects come to life. Be on the lookout for these projects around your schools and more stories about this work over the next few months.

If you want to learn more about this program and how to get involved, check out our website. Does your student group want to meet with our staff to learn more and get customized support for your project? Email us at studentclimatprojects@pps.net.

We’re excited to share that the PPS Climate Justice Youth Advisory (CJYA) orientation series was a success! High school students from across the district learned about the creation of the Climate Crisis Response, Climate Justice and Sustainable Practices Policy and the role it plays in informing climate action at PPS. CJYA members are looking forward to getting involved with climate advocacy, planning climate career fairs, and building connections within the Portland climate movement.

The CJYA is still open to join! CJYA members act as critical thought partners in defining the Climate Justice department’s goals for climate action, student leadership, and community engagement.

If you’re a HS student interested in student leadership around climate action, this is the group for you! Meetings are held from 4:30-6:00 pm biweekly on Wednesdays at the PPS district office (also known as the Prophet Education Center), with a virtual option available. Fill out this form to join!

But that's not all!

Sunnyside Environmental School now has a dedicated bike drop-off station, providing a convenient and eco-friendly option for parents and guardians. This drop-off area serves as a space where parents can securely park their bicycles as they wait to drop off or pick up their children, promoting a healthier and more sustainable way to commute to school. The station was made possible through a micro-grant from Metro which was used to create signage marking off the area for bikes only. With the bike drop-off station in place, Sunnyside Environmental School is making it easier for families to choose biking as an alternative to driving, contributing to both the health of the students and the planet.

Metro and the City of Portland are both offering hands-on learning activities in schools this year to teach students about waste reduction and recycling.

The City of Portland offers a variety of lessons around food waste and recycling for K-5 students. Learn more about their offerings and how to sign up here.

Metro’s elementary programs focus on worm composting, toxics reduction, and moving “beyond recycling.” They also do two-day deeper dives for middle and high school classes. They also work with students to conduct cafeteria waste audits that turn into reports that can be used for math/science lessons and future sustainability actions within your school