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Sign up now for a PCEF informational webinar designed for students who want to learn more about this program.
What: A 60-minute session to hear from PCEF staff and learn all about the new Climate Friendly Public Schools program.
When: Oct. 9, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Over zoom. Register here.
Who: Any student in Portland interested in utilizing PCEF's student climate funds.
Click HERE for the full program overview. And email studentclimateprojects@pps.net with any questions.
The Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) is allocating Portland Public Schools funding for student-led climate action through the Climate Friendly Public Schools program. This program gives students the opportunity to engage in real-world climate action, community needs identification, leadership development, and Project Based Learning that will allow for innovative and creative solutions to climate change.
The program will allocate $10,000 per school, per year for student-led projects with an additional $5,000 available to support staff advising and central coordination of program development. PCEF funding is available to all schools that serve grades 6-12, so it will apply to all middle schools, high schools, and K-8s.
Project applications:
- School staff interested in project advising, due Friday, Sept. 27, 2024
- Student Intent to apply, due Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
- Project Proposal form, due Friday, Nov. 22, 2024
- Project completion form, due Friday, May 2, 2025
Project resources for students and teachers:
- Climate Project Playbook (use me to ponder some amazing starter-ideas that we love!)
- Project brainstorming worksheet (use me to come up with YOUR project!)
- Climate Project promo video (use me to get students excited about forming or joining a project team! -- if students don't know about this program, they can't get involved!)
- Project Management Workbook (this activity is a fun way to help students think ahead to all the different parts of project management that will serve them well during their project.)
- Guide to filling out your Project Proposal Form (coming soon)
- Click here to find a list of every school's project advisor. This staff person can help students, other staff, or partners and volunteers get involved with the school's project.
- Don't see your school's advisor listed? Check in with your principal to talk about who might want to sign up for the role!
Community and Partner Organizations:
- Are you a community or partner organization interested in connecting with students to be involved with student climate projects? Fill out this form, and we can refer student groups to relevant organizations.
FAQs
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What schools are eligible to receive this funding?
- Middle schools, high schools, and K-8s.
- Charter schools and CBOs are not eligible for PCEF funding.
Full list of schools eligible for PCEF student project funds:
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Access Academy K-8
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Alliance High School
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Astor K-8
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Beaumont Middle
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Benson Polytechnic High
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Beverly Cleary K-8 at Fernwood Campus
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Bridger Creative Science School
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Cesar Chavez K-8
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Cleveland High
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da Vinci Arts Middle
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Faubion K-8
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Franklin High
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George Middle
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Grant High
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Gray Middle
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Harriet Tubman Middle
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Harrison Park K-8
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Hosford Middle
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Ida B. Wells High
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Jackson Middle
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Jefferson High
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Kellogg Middle
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Lane Middle
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Laurelhurst K-8
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Lincoln High
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McDaniel High
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Metropolitan Learning Center
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Mt. Tabor Middle
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Ockley Green Middle
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Odyssey K-8
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Roosevelt High
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Roseway Heights Middle
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Sellwood Middle
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*Skyline K-8
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Sunnyside Environmental K-8
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Vernon K-8
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*West Sylvan
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Winterhaven K-8
*indicates PPS schools not within Portland city boundaries that will be connected with student climate project funds using the same process as the student climate projects but with a different funding code)
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How much funding do schools receive for student-led projects?
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The Portlance Clean Energy fund will make $15,000 per eligible school available each year. Of this $15,000, $5,000 can go towards funding the support and resources needed to set student projects up for success. PPS plans to allocate the funding available accordingly:
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$10,000 each year for 5 years to be used for projects.
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A portion of the $5,000 available for coordination are earmarked to support Extended Responsibility (ER) pay for one staff member. The Extended Responsibility position is still moving through contract negotiations. Updates on accessing these funds staff payment will be available in the coming weeks.
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The additional funds from the $5,000 available for coordination and supporting students will fund central coordination and resources to students across the district.
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Who is involved in planning and completing projects?
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Students! This process is led by students.
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Student Climate Project Advisor (SCPA), a school-based staff member.
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The PPS Climate Justice and Sustainability teams will support school-based teams in navigating processes, systems, and connection to community partnerships for successful implementation of student projects.
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What types of projects can this funding pay for?
What types of projects can this funding pay for?
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Project scopes need to be in one of the following PCEF categories:
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Climate action related to youth education and engagement
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Energy efficiency and renewable
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Transportation decarbonization
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Regenerative Agriculture and Green Infrastructure
- Workforce Development
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Project examples can be found in the Climate Project Playbook!
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What is the full timeline for projects?
- November 2024- Project proposals due.
- December 2024 - Project approval notification.
- January 2025 - Project funds distributed.
- May 2025 - Projects final report due.
- June 2025 - Projects completed.
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How does our school access funds and spend funds?
The PPS Office of Climate Justice is working with the Portland Clean Energy Fund and the PPS Grants team to make the funds available for schools. When this process is finalized, the Climate Justice team will reach out to school business analysts and the Student Climate Project Advisors to make the account code available.
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What happens if there are multiple student groups, clubs, or classes that are interested in using the student project funds?
Student groups with more than one project should collaborate and submit 1 application per school per year. But the application can list more than one project, as long as the total budget for all projects does not exceed $10,000. -
If there is more than one staff member interested in the SCPA role, do both people receive ER pay?
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PCEF funding will be able to support one ER position per school. Further details on the Extended Responsibility position forthcoming..Staff members can choose to split the ER position, but that is determined on a school by school basis.
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Schools can choose to allocate funding to more ER positions for this work if there is funding available.
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What happens to student funds that may be left over after a project is completed?
Remaining funds roll over to the following year.
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Can students save some of their funding from the current year to be used the next year?
Yes!
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Who do I reach out to if I have more questions?
Email us at studentclimateprojects@pps.net and we will get back to you as soon as we can.