In celebration of Green Sports Day on October 6th, Buckley Elementary School in Manchester, Connecticut, New England’s first verified Net Zero energy school, welcomed the Connecticut Sun for a day focused on sustainability, community, and education.
“The Connecticut Sun’s impact extends far beyond the court. We’re thinking about the next generation of fans and scholar-athletes, and the environment is something they rally behind. There’s been a decline in youth engagement in sports, and one of the things that truly connects them to teams is a commitment to sustainability. That’s why we’re proud to support initiatives like Green Sports Day and launch programs such as Solar Sisters—bringing young women together to talk about both environmental stewardship and sustaining their own athletic careers.” - Connecticut Sun community relations manager Shamare Holmes.
The event featured students sharing thoughts about how the building has positively impacted their learning. The solar flower greeting them as they arrive at school was a big hit, since it moves throughout the day, following the sun. Michael C. Scott, Partner at TSKP STUDIO and project manager for the Buckley School project, then led a tour of the school, highlighting the design strategies that make Buckley a model for energy-efficient, healthy learning environments.
“Buckley Elementary was originally built in the 1950s, but we completely re-engineered it for the future. We rebuilt the envelope to be highly insulated and airtight, replaced fuel systems with an electric central plant, tapped into the earth through geothermal wells, and installed a photovoltaic array. The building now produces as much energy as it uses.” - Michael C. Scott.
Pictured: Michael Scott leads the tour of Buckley Elemenatry School / Photo Credit: Connecticut Sun/Hakiel Hemans
Following the tour, Michael joined Connecticut Sun Community Relations Manager Shamare Holmes, Manchester Mayor Jay Moran, and Manchester Public Schools Superintendent Matt Geary for a roundtable discussion on the importance of sustainable design and its long-term impact on students and the broader community.
“In Manchester, we’ve renovated six schools over the last decade, but when we entered the second phase of our 2025 project—Buckley, Bowers, and Keeney—the conversation shifted. Before the referendum even passed, community members were fiercely advocating for these schools to be Net Zero. That advocacy made a real difference. The Board of Education and the Board of Directors supported the additional investment, and the voters approved it. So while our architects and town leaders did tremendous work, the Net Zero commitment truly came from the community itself.” - Matt Geary, Superintendent.
Buckley Elementary continues to serve as a living example of how thoughtful design and community collaboration can advance sustainability goals within education and beyond. The Connecticut Sun’s engagement reflects their commitment to connecting with future fans through sustainability, paralleling TSKP STUDIO’s dedication to inspiring environmental awareness and future STEM careers through design.
Top Image, Pictured Left to Right: Michael C. Scott (TSKP STUDIO, Partner and Project Lead) and Matt Geary (Manchester Public Schools Superintendent)
Bottom Image, Pictured Left to Right: Manchester Mayor Jay Moran and Shamare Holmes (Connecticut Sun Community Relations Manager)
CASE STUDY: Buckley Elementary School
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