Today, students at Stone Creek Elementary School in Rossville celebrated the award of a $25,000 Learning Environment Grant from the School Uplift program. The grant, presented by TVA and EPB, recognizes Stone Creek’s "dedication to making smart energy choices to improve learning environments and save money by reducing energy use."
“On behalf of all faculty and staff at Stone Creek Elementary School, I’m very proud of the persistence and creativity our students applied to developing a year-long program that has measurable results for our school’s energy use and costs,” said Principal Dr.
Leigh Davis.
Officials said, "EPB Energy ProsSM worked with Stone Creek teachers to conduct a comprehensive energy assessment in partnership with TVA. The school also formed an 'Energy Squad' of students and teachers to take daily actions to improve the facility’s energy efficiency. Among the activities were daily shut down checklists for all teachers, as well as more extensive procedures to prepare for fall, winter and spring breaks. Stone Creek excelled at parental engagement by inviting EPB to share information about residential incentives and free programs like EPB Home Energy CheckupsSM. Other activities included opportunities for students and parents to play Energy Jeopardy to be entered into drawings for prizes."
“TVA and local power company partners are committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve through School Uplift,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA Energy Services and Programs. “By reducing energy costs, we’re making more funds available for education and creating a better learning environment for students and teachers which helps give every child the opportunity to succeed.”
This week, TVA announced it awarded $2.3 million to 98 schools that participated in similar efforts to reduce power bills and promote energy efficiency measures through School Uplift. The program helps participating schools save an average of 10 percent on energy bills through efforts to use energy wisely, like the ones put in place at Stone Creek Elementary Schools, officials said.
“I had the privilege of working with Stone Creek to help them achieve their School Uplift goals and measurably decrease the school’s power consumption,” said David Vanzant, EPB Energy Pro and School Uplift representative. “Students made learning about energy interesting and fun for their peers. They also took learning beyond the walls of the schools to share and encourage their families to save energy to help lower bills at home, too.”
Students plan to use award funds to purchase a new book vending machine and an initial order of books to fill the machine. Funds will also be used to resurface and paint the blacktop, pave nature trails at the school, install a digital interior welcome sign and replace broken blinds where needed.
Officials said, "TVA launched School Uplift to invest in students’ futures by offering energy efficiency training and funding to reduce energy costs and improve schools’ learning environments. To date, TVA has invested about $8.2 million to help 323 schools save on their energy bills."
Up to 120 new schools may participate in the 2025-2026 School Uplift program. Public and private schools in TVA’s seven-state service area are encouraged to learn more and apply at energyright.com/business-industry/school-uplift/.