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GCSNet Vision:

The vision of the Green Charter Schools Network is for every person to be environmentally literate and to practice and promote sustainability in their community.

GCSNet Mission:

The mission of the Green Charter Schools Network is to support the establishment, enhancement and advancement of charter schools with environment-focused educational programs and practices

GCSNet Goals:

• Promote development of green / environmental focused charter schools
• Provide forums to share innovative and effective practices
• Facilitate professional development, cooperative initiatives and shared technical assistance
• Quantify and disseminate the results and successes of of green / environmental practices in improving student achievement and sustaining charter schools
• Be a centralized resource for charter schools in the Dissemination Phase of growth to provide information to other charter schools whether starting or growing

UPCOMING EVENTS:

National Green Charter Schools Conference
Madison, Wisconsin
November 8-9, 2008

Co-sponsored by Green Charter Schools Network & Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Wisconsin Home to New Network of Green Charter Schools

It's not surprising that Wisconsin, home of Aldo Leopold, John Muir and Gaylord Nelson, is the headquarters of a new national organization of environment-focused public charter schools. Earth Day Founder Gaylord Nelson emphasized repeatedly the importance of educating youth about conservation and protection of natural resources.

The Green Charter Schools Network founders are committed to fostering the creation of charter schools with environment-focused educational programs and practices in all states.

Many green charter schools are already operating or being planned around the country. Educators, parents, environmentalists, and other thoughtful people (i.e. the "public" in public education) are planting the acorns in their communities to grow mighty Oaks — innovative new "green" schools where no child will be left inside.

As with most good ideas, a combination of events has created the fertile setting that has given rise to this innovation. Over the past decade more than 40 states have enacted charter school enabling legislation. The charter "idea" and strategy encourage the creation of new, effective and different schools in public education. That is happening across the country and giving students and families quality educational options. At least a dozen green charter schools are operating or being planned in Wisconsin.

Many green charter secondary schools have project-based programs with integrated curricula. Learning comes naturally when students become motivated as they work on significant environmental projects.

Parents, educators and school officials, who recognize that one size does not fit all students, embrace the charter schools idea. New environment-focused charter schools will flourish in coming years because they offer choices within public education, give students the skills and knowledge to be successful in emerging new professions, and empower youth to help make the world a better place for everyone and everything.

As a member of the "public" in public education, you have an opportunity to grow these mighty Oaks in your community. The Green Charter Schools Network is now available to help you.

Senn Brown, Executive Director
Green Charter Schools Network
5426 Greening Lane
Madison, WI 53705
Tel: 608-238-7491
Email: senn@greencharterschools.org

Not a Member yet? Join today!

GCSNet's Founding Board of Directors

Jim McGrath (MN), President — Founding principal (retired), Oshkosh Environmental Charter School — http://www.eecharterschool.com

Doug Thomas (MN), Vice-President — EdVision Schools' Executive Director — http://www.edvisions.com

Julie Spalding (WI), Secretary — Founder and former teacher at Fox River Academy — http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/FoxRiverAcademy

Oliver Barton (CT), Treasurer — Common Ground Charter School's Director — http://www.nhep.com/cghs-1.htm

Michael J. Bakalis (IL) — President, The American Quality Schools Corporation — http://www.aqs.org/bio.htm — and former Illinois Superintendent of Education

Sara Laimon (CA) — Educator at Environmental Charter High School — http://www.echsonline.org/?page=home and founder of Green Ambassadors — http://greenambassadors.org

Jim Tangen-Foster (WI) — Co-founder, Michael Frome Academy — A Green Charter School opening in the Twin Cities (MN) in 2008 — http://mnmfa.org

History

In 2004, Senn Brown and Jim McGrath realized the growing number of public environmental charter schools or at least charter schools with an environmental component starting. Senn's idea was to network them as a group who would collaborate in growth, experience, knowledge and expertise, sharing the results.

This network would in turn, be able to help other schools who were seeking advice from start-up through dissemination and renewal awards.

Senn was instrumental in starting the Environmental Charter School Network (ECSN) in 2005. A nine member advisory group was formed consisting of members of charter schools and charter school associations. In a short period of time, the member roster reached 56. Regrettably, a neighboring state who was partnering through the ECSN had a change in legislation which moved more resources into state rather than regional growth, forcing many members and advisors to grow within state boundaries rather than regionally focused programs.

Neither Senn nor Jim gave up on the idea of a network that would benefit vast multi-state participation. They refocused their growth efforts on Wisconsin as the core of what is now recognized as the Environment Focus Charter Schools (EFCS).

In January, 2007 Jim presented the idea of the EFCS and the desire to promote green charter schools to the Oakwood Elementary Environmental Charter School. The reply was unanimous and from their decision and support, the EFCS website has begun.

We'd like to thank Oakwood EE Charter School for being the "charter member"!

You may learn more about Oakwood EECS by visiting www.eecharterschool.com.