CHPS Celebrates Earth Day with Launch of New Website

For immediate release
Please contact: Ariel Dekovic, 415-970-6604, ariel@chps.net

April 22, 2009 (San Francisco) - The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) announced the launch of a new website at www.chps.net to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2009. The updated design reflects CHPS’ recent rebranding and expansion to a national organization dedicated to improving America’s schools by facilitating the design and operation of healthy, environmentally efficient school buildings.

“For almost a decade, CHPS has offered schools, districts and design practitioners some of the most respected technical information in high performance school design and operation. With the release of the new CHPS website, we can continue to provide the best tools and resources for high performance schools in a format that is easier to navigate and allows the user to participate in more of our programs online,” said Charles Eley, executive director of CHPS.

The new website contains features that will provide an enhanced user experience, including clearer navigation and updated content. Other improvements include:

• Customized access to the site through individual usernames and passwords. Registered CHPS.net users will be able to download all CHPS resources for free. Members of CHPS will be able to download printable versions of all CHPS resources.
• Increased webinar and video content. CHPS will now be able to offer scheduled and on-demand trainings via the new website with easy registration options for users.
• New resources and high performance school news will be easy to follow via the newsroom and events sidebars.
• CHPS project registration is now easier than ever. CHPS Designed and CHPS Verified projects can easily be registered through new online functionality.
• Members of CHPS will have increased visibility through their unique member profiles.

CHPS expects to make further technical and design improvements to the site in the coming months, including the launch of user forums and other features.

The redesign of the CHPS website marks an important step in the expansion of the organization. CHPS was formed in 2000 out of a partnership of the California’s public utilities to address energy efficiency in schools. Incorporated in 2002 as a non-profit organization, CHPS quickly expanded to address not only the performance of the facility but also student health and performance and lessening the environmental impact of schools.
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