Francine Locke has joined Germantown Friends School as its first Director of Sustainability. Through an innovative partnership with Westtown School, this is a shared role, with Locke working in a part-time capacity for both institutions. 

Locke brings a wealth of experience and knowledge; she has a master’s degree in environmental health from Temple University, and previously served as Chief Sustainability Officer for Delaware County and as the Director of Sustainability and Green Schools for the School District of Philadelphia. At GFS, Locke will work side-by-side with the community, including closely with students, to develop a comprehensive, data- and metrics-driven sustainability plan. This work will begin with a “State of Sustainability” report that will be publicly shared in early 2025.  

Locke notes that her work will be enhanced by the fact that sustainability and Stewardship are closely-held values at GFS.

“Everyone here gets it, and that's a beautiful thing to inherit in this position,” she notes. “There is already a ton of interest and wonderful people leading this work.”

Her primary focus at GFS, at least in the coming year, will be the new dining hall in the All School Commons. Plans include decreasing food waste through composting and food donation; using reusable dishes and silverware; and sourcing local produce.

“We're getting students involved in all of this, and I know they’ll get behind it,” Locke says. “And as we include them in this work and they begin to lead the way, they are going to graduate from Germantown Friends as real sustainability stewards.” 

She will also turn her attention to other issues in the school, like energy and water consumption, while maintaining a holistic approach to sustainability. 

“That means infusing a sustainability mindset into everything we're doing from how we are purchasing electricity, to how we are taking care of ourselves and treating our communities who are less fortunate,” she says. “Climate change is the greatest public health threat of our time, and our most vulnerable populations are at the highest risk. So we have a responsibility there, as well. These are the things that are going to be instilled in our students as they move along.”