49 Shade Planning for America’s Schools Chapter 6 Strategies for Achieving the Goals Strategies for achieving the goals could include moving playground equipment to a shaded area of the playground, revising school policy to make off-limit areas accessible, or building structures or planting trees to provide additional shade. The planning team should present their recommendations, but should also be prepared to discuss alternative plans. If the team is recommending the creation of new shade, it should be prepared to discuss the performance characteristics of the materials providing shade, including: • Where the tree(s) or shade structure will be located. • The amount of shade that will be provided. • Whether the need is for seasonal or year-round shade. • The costs associated with providing the shade, including both initial and annual maintenance costs. • The estimated lifespan of the building or tree(s) providing the shade. Approaches for Achieving the Goals The cost of providing shade can range from an afternoon of volunteer labor to the expense of building a large outdoor classroom with electricity and plumbing. The school district’s budget for the project often cannot be known until the planning team presents their recommendations. For this reason, modifiable plans and alternate funding sources should be explored. While members of the planning team are completing the shade audit, other members can be exploring potential funding sources and volunteer resources. As the planning team presents their recommendations, they should also be prepared to present the options for advancing their plan. Options could include fund-raising efforts by the parent-teacher organization, donation of building materials by a local builder’s supply store, or a tree planting project by a local Boy Scout troop.
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