Ruffing Achieves LEED Certification
(May 26, 2010) Ruffing Montessori School’s recent green facility renovation and construction project has been designated a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certified building by the US Green Building Council and the Green Building Certification Institute.

LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Surpassing the replacement of outdated facilities, the objectives of Ruffing’s renovation were the creation of the healthiest possible place for students and staff to learn and work, and the establishment of an eco-friendly environment for students to comprehend and carry into the world.

This certification provides verification that Ruffing meets the highest green building performance quality and integrity standards, employing the most efficient design and state-of-the art green building techniques. The process to become certified is rigorous, and adherence to specific criteria is carefully assessed.

In the USGB'’s point system, Ruffing earned points for sustainable site selection, water efficiency, energy performance, reused and recycled materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design. The school earned bonus points for its innovative green curriculum, school-wide green initiatives and for exemplary use of recycled materials throughout the new construction project.

What makes a building green? In Ruffing's case, the facility is loaded with green features: a geo-thermal system that provides efficient heating and cooling; photovoltaic (solar) panels that produce power equivalent to the operating requirements of the geo-thermal system; a living roof for insulation and energy conservation; high efficiency lighting; energy efficient windows; sun tubes; solar shades; fabric ductwork; low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, carpet tiles and glues; natural flooring materials; energy efficient appliances; rain barrels; waterless urinals and controlled hand towel dispensers, to name a few. In its policies and practices, the school promotes recycling, composting, rainwater reuse in classroom gardens, green procurement, non-toxic cleaning products, and no-waste lunches.

While many of these features can be found in other LEED Certified buildings and schools, Ruffing's unique green curriculum sets it apart from other schools. It was recognized with a 2009 Northeast Ohio Environmental Award by the Biodiversity Alliance, for "innovative curriculum that permeates the whole school." Beginning with its youngest students, toddlers, and continuing through eighth grade, the program teaches ways energy can be consumed more efficiently and how human choices help or harm the planet. The school has developed a very specific sequenced curriculum, created copyrighted activity-based Montessori-style materials, and uses the building's green features as a working lab. On every age level, students are introduced to increasingly more complex ideas centered on sustainability, stewardship, and individual responsibility.

Ruffing Montessori School acknowledges the LEED Project Team: Team Leader Project Architect Rick Parker, Denk Associates, eQuest Strategies, Facilities Management Concepts, Inc., Ogrinc Mechanical Corporation, Panzica Construction Company and Ruffing Board President Mike Shaut.

Channel 3 and Kim Wheeler Visit our "Green" School
Students lead a tour of eco-friendly practices

(November 14, 2007) Chanel 3 News Kim Wheeler visited Ruffing Montessori School! Kim was very impressed with our no-waste lunch guidelines, recycling and composting practices, our green cleaning policy, and the many high performance building features (solar panels, geothermal system, sun tubes, daylighting, living roof, etc.) that make our school unique. Click here to view photographs of her visit.

Ruffing Wins Crain's Cleveland Emerald Award
2010 Recognition for Sustainability

(September 27, 2010) Ruffing Montessori School received the prestigious Emerald Award from Crain's Cleveland Business for successfully implementing processes that make a positive impact on the triple bottom line of sustainability: Profits, People, Planet. Selected from an impressive list of finalists in our category, Ruffing was recognized for our unique green curriculum, for incorporating sustainable building techniques and materials in our recent campus redevelopment, and for achieving LEED Certification this year, making Ruffing the first and only LEED Certified building in Cleveland Heights.

Accepting the award on behalf of the school, Gordon Maas spoke about the significance of our green initiative as it relates to true Montessori education, adding that "through our LEED Certified living building and our unique green curriculum, Ruffing will continue to send ambassadors of sustainability into the world year after year after year." We are proud to be in the esteemed company of other 2010 Emerald Award winners, including the Cleveland Clinic Health System, Baldwin-Wallace College, and Cuyahoga Community College.

Ruffing Honored by Cleveland Heights
Community Improvements Award Presentation

(October 1, 2010) In honor of Sustainability Week in Cleveland Heights, Ruffing was honored by the city of Cleveland Heights for its LEED Certified campus renovation project at a ceremony on Thursday, October 7, 2010 in the Cleveland Heights City Hall Atrium.

Science Teacher Wins Essay Competition
(December 17, 2010) Middle School Science teacher Cary Seidman has been recognized as one of five winners in the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)/Subaru Essay Writing Competition. This is the second time that Cary has been honored for excellence in this contest.

His award includes full registration for the 2011 AAAS Meeting in Washington, DC, in February 2011, a stipend for travel and housing-related expenses to the meeting, a subscription to Science Books and Films, as well as receptions for special attendees at the Meeting.

This year's topic addressed best practices in the use of science trade books (print resources outside of textbooks) to enhance teaching and learning. In 2009, he was recognized in the same essay competition for an essay on Ruffing's unit on sound, using technology, as well as an interdisciplinary approach incorporating math and writing.

This is a significant honor for Cary and brings attention to the outstanding science program at Ruffing. Please congratulate him on this recognition.

Ruffing Alumna to Present at Intel Science
Margaret Landefeld Moves Forward

(March 7, 2011) Margaret Landefeld, Middle School graduate in 2007, now a senior at Hathaway Brown, attended the American Association for the Advancement of Science Convention in Washington, February 17-21, where she presented some of the research findings from her work in the science mentorship program at HB. Margaret has been working with scientists at Case Medical School on problems in genetics and epidemiology. Margaret's project at CWRU involves finding causes and treatments for cystic fibrosis(CF), an inherited disorder. She and her mentor are working on a molecular level to treat the defect in the protein in the cells around the lungs that causes CF.

Upon her return home, she found out that she was one of a select few students from over 60 countries to compete as a finalist in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. The Intel-ISEF event will take place in May.

Ainslee Robson '07 Honored
Princeton Prize Recognition

(May 12, 2011) Ainslee Robson '07 was honored by the Cleveland Princeton Club's Inaugural Race Relations Prize Program for her accomplishments in promoting harmony, understanding and respect among people of different races within their schools and communities.

Held at The City Club, the ceremony honored student activists for leadership. Ainslee, a Senior at Laurel School, was sponsored by a Laurel faculty member.

Inspired by her experiences at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, Ainslee worked with her school's Board of Equity, Justice & Inclusion to lead a successful all-school assembly focused on identity, prejudice and inclusion. We salute Ainslee for her compassion, for her concern for the citizens of the world and for making decisions founded on the highest order of ethics and conscience.

Alumni Cellist Chris Irving Performs
Mini Concert for Students

(June 3, 2011) Ruffing alumnus Chris Irvine '04, who just finished his Junior year at New England Conservatory of Music, visited Ruffing on June 3 to perform for the Middle School and Upper and Lower Elementary classes. With parents who are both professional musicians - mom Lynne Ramsey is a member of the Cleveland Orchestra and dad Jeff Irvine teaches at Cleveland Institute of Music - Chris has pursued the study of music - both instrumental and vocal - from his earliest days. Chris is a graduate of Shaker Heights High School. It was a delightful treat to welcome Chris back to Ruffing.