Sustainability

Three girls digging a garden.

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is conserving and protecting resources so that they are available for future generations.

#SustainSMSD

Since sustainability was established as a priority for the Shawnee Mission School District as part of a strategic planning process that engaged and invited input from stakeholders, school district leaders and the Board of Education have remained dedicated to the sustainable and efficient use of resources.  The school district has convened student summits to garner input and engagement from students to develop sustainability priority areas.  Additionally, the school district has partnered with area organizations with similar interests and areas of focus to support sustainability initiatives in the district and community.  The district was featured as a partner in the green infrastructure playbook developed by Mid-America Regional Council.  

Student charts responses for students at his table

Shawnee Mission Sustainability Youth Summit 

Student representatives from all six district high schools were invited to share their concerns and priorities as part of the SMSD Sustainability Youth Summit held initially in March 2016.  A second summit was held in Fall 2021 to reaffirm sustainability priorities for the school district. Teachers and students attended the Summit hosted at the Center for Academic Achievement. Professionals and area civic leaders joined the students. Five priorities were identified by the students.

Four students and teacher discuss sustainability

Contact

Dr. Leigh Anne Neal
Chief of Early Childhood Education/Sustainability
(913) 993-6412

Susana Belvedere
Executive Secretary for Early Childhood Education/Sustainability
(913) 993-6441