Sleuthing Students Signal Serendipitous Savings

Cohen Hillel Academy’s Energy-Conscious Uncover Cost-Savings for the School 

Contact:
Linda Greenseid
781-639-2880

Marblehead, MA - Cohen Hillel Academy received a $1,180 check from the Marblehead Light Department thanks to the investigative work of the school’s Extracurricular Science & Technology Club. While performing an energy audit of the school building, the five student club members recently discovered that the school had upgraded to energy efficient light bulbs from older fluorescent lighting. This conservation measure entitled Hillel to a financial rebate from the municipal utility.

Over the course of this eight-week after-school club, the students took inventory of heaters, vents, light fixtures, and electric appliances, and invited a representative from the Marblehead Light Department to audit the lighting and electrical demand of the building. The students were thrilled to learn that Hillel already had conservation measures in place.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I found out our school had made such a great effort to save energy," said seventh grader Adam Bouche. The energy-efficient and longer-life light bulbs will provide future savings to the school, especially given that lighting consumes approximately 60% of all electricity used in the average school.

The Science and Technology Club is one of 23 different after-school clubs offered through the school’s Extra-Curricular Programs. Program Director Ellen Lodgen is pleased with the tremendous growth in after-school programming over the last two years, noting that “our wide variety of after-school programming is helping our students stretch themselves socially, academically, and physically. They are able to go beyond what is possible during a normal school day.”

Cohen Hillel Academy is the Boston North Shore’s community Jewish day school, serving students from diverse Jewish backgrounds in grades K-8. The school attracts students from almost 20 North Shore communities. Cohen Hillel Academy fosters an environment that nurtures the seeds of discovery and understanding, equips students with tools for study and critical inquiry, and challenges each learner to fulfill his or her potential for educational excellence.

Energy-conscious students Rachel Grosz, Sara Lodgen (Marblehead), Adam Bouche, Kristian Kotov (Salem), and Koa Smith (Ipswich) discuss their findings with club instructor Carmel Valianti-Smith.. (Photo by Zvi Jankelowitz)