Map Suggestions

Sometimes new Watt Watchers sponsors are a little intimidated by starting a brand new program that will involve the whole school. A frequent stumbling point is organizing the actual patrols throughout the school. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Thousands of other sponsors have started patrols in their schools. One helpful tool to get you started may be posted on the wall at the end of your hallway. It is the fire exit plan. How convenient to have a map of all the rooms and hallways in your school so readily available! Many schools are laid out in a “finger” pattern with three or four long hallways that have classrooms on both sides. A typical approach is to have two students go down each hallway checking on each side of the hall. This will require only a couple of minutes, so it may be possible for a pair of students to cover two hallways or extra rooms and offices in the area. Any area with lights represents potential savings so be sure to include portable classrooms, gyms, cafeterias, and other rooms. Watt Watchers patrols are very flexible. Schedule patrols to fit the conditions at your school.

Students at Anytown Elementary School (see map) have 42 classrooms to patrol plus six portables not on the map. If they field four pairs of students, each pair will have about twelve classrooms each. They can complete their Watt Watching duties in about 5 minutes. The long hallway on the left can be done by one pair (even though it has 18 classrooms), classrooms 13 through 20 and the cafeteria and offices by a second pair, the bookroom and classrooms 21 through 30 can be assigned to the third pair, while the final pair can handle classrooms 31 through 36 plus the six portables. Keeping patrols quick, easy, and organized facilitates multiple patrols. Take a look at your school’s layout and plan your patrols. You can map a plan for success for your Watt Watchers.