Spottlight on Education
This month, schools across the country participated in American Education Week.
The week promotes collaboration between parents and educators. This tradition began in 1921 when members of the American Legion, the U.S. Office of Education, and the National Education Association joined efforts to improve literacy and physical education across the country. This month we celebrate the educators and administrators that are inspiring the next generation of engineers, artists, innovators, and creators.
From helping students to understand how their school is heated and cooled to developing educational materials for outreach activities, to reaching out to the community to facilitate success we are engaged in providing educational opportunities.
We’re here to help. We understand what institutions of learning need, and we deliver cost-effective, sustainable services. The specifics vary, but one course is always part of the program: ensuring a safe and healthy environment for students and staff to learn, live, and work.
This month, schools across the country participated in American Education Week.
The week promotes collaboration between parents and educators. This tradition began in 1921 when members of the American Legion, the U.S. Office of Education, and the National Education Association joined efforts to improve literacy and physical education across the country. This month we celebrate the educators and administrators that are inspiring the next generation of engineers, artists, innovators, and creators.
From helping students to understand how their school is heated and cooled to developing educational materials for outreach activities, to reaching out to the community to facilitate success we are engaged in providing educational opportunities.
We’re here to help. We understand what institutions of learning need, and we deliver cost-effective, sustainable services. The specifics vary, but one course is always part of the program: ensuring a safe and healthy environment for students and staff to learn, live, and work.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Spottlight on Fire Safety
This month, we’re talking about the ways that you can continue to keep the facilities, the communities, and most importantly the people that you love safe. We’ve provided some reminders and maintenance tips to keep on your to do list.
Stop, Drop, Read, and React.
Did you know that in 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871? From fire prevention activities, to safety reminders, to acknowledgement of our fire and other first responders - October is a time to remember to stay fire safe.
This month, we’re talking about the ways that you can continue to keep the facilities, the communities, and most importantly the people that you love safe. We’ve provided some reminders and maintenance tips to keep on your to do list. Because even though October is about fire safety- emergencies happen year-round. Read our tips. Read our reminders. Read them, think about them, and then act on them. We’ll be here- because when it comes to safety- it’s not enough to just be aware, you also have to do.
We’re here to help.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Spottlight on Changing Seasons
For businesses, organizations, facilities, municipalities, and everywhere in between- the change of seasons means preparations, challenges, and opportunities. From falling leaves, changes in temperature, and shorter days, to preparing facilities for the Winter - whatever the item on your list, now is a great time to get started.
Pumpkin spice is here! Even if you’re not a pumpkin fan, it’s unavoidable that the Fall season has arrived, The leaves are beginning to crunch when you walk on the sidewalk, and the breeze is beginning to blow a bit cooler than it did before.
For some the beginning of a new season means redecorating the mantle, preparing plans for holidays and special events, and maybe reorganizing the closet to prepare for temperature changes. For others it means the start of a new sports season or new recreational activities.
But for businesses, organizations, facilities, municipalities, and everywhere in between- the change of seasons means preparations, challenges, and opportunities. From falling leaves, changes in temperature, and shorter days, to preparing facilities for the Winter - whatever the item on your list, now is a great time to get started.
And a New Year is Just Around the Corner
Just as winter may feel a world away, for many municipalities, the end of the MS4 permit term may also feel like it’s a long way off. However, we encourage municipal leaders to begin the process sooner, rather than later. As budgets are being developed, consider your stormwater management plans. Identify the priority projects in relation to your fiscal year.
SSM is always here to help! Whether you need guidance on your MS4 requirements, or you want to jumpstart some of your priority projects- give us a call!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Spottlight on Water Quality
August is Water Quality Month. And so this month we challenge you to take a little bit of extra time to think about that refreshing glass of water. Or, that clean shower stream. Or, the water bodies you might enjoy for recreation.
Enjoy your water this month! It’s been sourced with you in mind.
A refreshing glass of water. On the surface, it's filled with nothing but H20. Thinking deeper, you'll see that a lot more has gone into it. Such as protecting the purity of reservoirs, aquifers, wellheads, and springs. Rehabilitating abandoned wells. Using hydrogeologic modeling to calculate the impact of proposed development on source water and surrounding terrain. Using GIS to manage complex and voluminous environmental databases. Tailoring solutions for municipalities and water suppliers, and getting clean water to communities, buildings and faucets. Into every refreshing glass of water goes a lot of deep thinking.
At SSM, we believe in protecting, developing, and managing water resources for future generations. Our Water Resources team takes great pride in making water happen, protecting water resources, and providing the greatest care to our supply sources every single day.
August is Water Quality Month. And so this month we challenge you to take a little bit of extra time to think about that refreshing glass of water. Or, that clean shower stream. Or, the water bodies you might enjoy for recreation.
Enjoy your water this month! It’s been sourced with you in mind.
IN THIS ISSUE
Spottlight on Energy and Sustainability
It’s this mission that drives the services and goals of the new division: transforming buildings into comfortable, efficient, healthy spaces to live and work.
Now introducing . . .
Energy and Sustainability Services
Spotts, Stevens and McCoy (SSM) is thrilled to announce an expansion to our regional engineering, environmental, and surveying firm. SSM created a new Energy and Sustainability Services division, to be led by its new director, Paul Spiegel, PE, LEED AP. Spiegel formerly served as President of Practical Energy Solutions (PES), the West Chester-based energy consulting firm. This expansion extends the scope of the three existing divisions under the SSM umbrella: Facility Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Civil Engineering.
Every day at SSM we look for new ways to grow our footprint, expand our services, increase our capacity, and escalate our opportunities to make an impact on the world. We believe in improving the quality of life for our clients, our employees, and for all of the people touched by the work that we do. It’s this mission that drives the services and goals of the new division: transforming buildings into comfortable, efficient, healthy spaces to live and work.
IN THIS ISSUE
Spottlight on Forward Thinking
Over the years, organizations like yours and like ours have navigated game-changing decisions, world-changing events, life-changing innovations. We’re here again. We’re on the crux of great changes ready, for new normals, reporting on big decisions, and embracing game-changers. From innovative ways of approaching common projects to lessons learned in preparing for the future- our focus this month is on forward-thinking. This month, we look to the lessons learned over the past few months, the challenges that were identified, and the questions that seek answers as many approach “big months” and game-changing adjustments.
Over the years, organizations like yours and like ours have navigated game-changing decisions, world-changing events, life-changing innovations. We’re here again. We’re on the crux of great changes ready, for new normals, reporting on big decisions, and embracing game-changers. From innovative ways of approaching common projects to lessons learned in preparing for the future- our focus this month is on forward-thinking. This month, we look to the lessons learned over the past few months, the challenges that were identified, and the questions that seek answers as many approach “big months” and game-changing adjustments.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Spottlight on Showing Up
There’s so much that we could say right now. But instead, this month, we want to show up.
At SSM, we knew from the day that the COVID-19 pandemic began to pose a serious threat to impacting our communities- that our number one job was to show up. This month, this Spottlight, we want to show up for you in one of the best ways we know how- sharing what we know. We’ve deployed our divisions to help us talk about some of the things we know are on your mind. From environmental to facility- take what you need.
There is so much that we could say right now. There is so much that so many are saying right now. From the emails to the news we join you in all of the feelings of being overwhelmed. We join you in the constant states of trying to understand, trying to learn, trying to find answers, and sometimes- just trying to make some sense of things.
There’s so much that we could say right now. But instead, this month, we want to show up.
Across the world, across the nation, across our communities and across our relationships- people are finding that when push comes to shove, when trial comes to tribulation, and when scary days meet stressful nights- what we need to do for each other is show up.
We’ve seen car parades and video-chat birthdays. We’ve seen wedding drive-ins and cul-de-sac happy hours. We’ve seen math lessons through windows and husbands in bucket trucks just to make a visit. We’ve seen piles and piles of donations and we’ve seen bags and bags of handmade masks. What we’ve seen is that when we feel far apart, we show up bigger, better, and bolder than ever before.
At SSM, we knew from the day that the COVID-19 pandemic began to pose a serious threat to impacting our communities- that our number one job was to show up.
From the well-being of our employees, to the passions of our clients, and to every single project and every single person in between- we are showing up. We’re here. We’re working. We’re ready.
We’re showing up for your projects. With technology- cloud-based infrastructure and single-number reach prevent any possible delay in getting the job done. We’re showing up for our clients. Virtual coffee breaks, happy hours, and just regular phone calls- all because you matter. And we’re showing up for our people- check-ins, work-from-home challenges, and even the occasional pizza delivery. We’re showing up because in many ways, things are different. But we know that in some of the best ways, things will always be the same.
This month, this Spottlight, we want to show up for you in one of the best ways we know how- sharing what we know. We’ve deployed our divisions to help us talk about some of the things we know are on your mind. From environmental to facility- take what you need.
Remember that we’re here. Tell us how we can help you. We’re working. Our projects and our team members are all moving and continuing to thrive in a variety of ways. And, we’re ready. We’ve got the tools. We’ve got the expertise. We’ve got it covered.
Spottlight on Earth's Treasures
This week, we celebrate the Earth. April 22nd, 2020 is not only Earth Day, but Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary. That makes 50 years of the world coming together to defend our environment, to mobilize volunteers, to advocate, to educate, and to appreciate the treasure that is our planet Earth.
Celebrate What’s Around You
This week, we celebrate the Earth. April 22nd, 2020 is not only Earth Day, but Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary. That makes 50 years of the world coming together to defend our environment, to mobilize volunteers, to advocate, to educate, and to appreciate the treasure that is our planet Earth.
We wish we had the words to make our world feel normal right now. We wish we had the answers, or the keys, or the secret solutions to unravel all of the things that have knotted in our stomachs, in our heads, and in our hearts. Concerns, worries, the unknown, and just plain feelings of overwhelmed exhaustion- we know that all of these are consuming.
At a time that often feels more disappointing than exciting; through events that look more different now than they did before; at places that dispel different experiences than they ever have; through relationships that have changed in ways unimaginable; and through grit that works just when we all need it to.
Through all of these things- we think that finding a way to celebrate the world around us is just what we all need right now.
We are proud to be a firm that believes in promoting best environmental practices, contributing to the sustainability of our planet, and celebrating Earth’s great treasures. Because one day a year is just not enough. Our work touches everyday life; from the water you drink, to the air you breathe, to the buildings and communities where you live, work, and play.
Today, and everyday, we’re celebrating Earth’s great treasures. From the large bodies of water that go as far as the eye can see- reminding us of the grandness of Earth’s power and presence. To each tiny granular of sand- reminding us of the impact and significance of every small decision in building the world around us.
We encourage you to join us today, this week, this month, and all of those to come, in seeing, enjoying, and celebrating these treasures.
Spottlight on Surveying
This week, we celebrate National Surveyors Week. Our surveyors provide the pieces, the data, the knowledge, the information that allows us to develop the best designs, offer the most comprehensive alternatives, and deliver the most effective, efficient results.
In This Issue . . .
Spottlight on Engineers
During this week, we highlight the important work that engineers all around the world do- the decisions they make, the education they pursue, the designs they create, and the problems they solve. From the engineers that create something out of nothing, to the ones that bring new life to the existing- we acknowledge you.
Evaluation | Collaboration | Innovation
February 16 – 22 is Engineers Week. During this week, we highlight the important work that engineers all around the world do- the decisions they make, the education they pursue, the designs they create, and the problems they solve. From the engineers that create something out of nothing, to the ones that bring new life to the existing- we acknowledge you.
But in addition to engineers around the world, this week we’re especially proud to celebrate and honor the incredible engineers that make our teams thrive and make our clients’ projects succeed.
We are proud to have engineers that do more than just create solutions. Because good engineers get the job done, but great engineers make the world a better place. At SSM, we believe in improving the quality of life for our clients and for all of the people touched by the work that we do. We are proud to have engineers that live that mission every single day and share it through every single decision they make.
Our engineers evaluate. They collaborate. And, they innovate.
Good engineers complete tasks. Great engineers- our engineers- believe in quality work with lasting value. Great engineers take pride in clients’ success. Great engineers believe our people, are your people.
This week, we’re celebrating our engineers. Not only for the skills they use every single day, the knowledge and expertise they bring to every project, or every single solution they provide day after day- but we celebrate our engineers for the passion, the commitment, and the care that they have always and continue to put in to the work that they do.
SSM engineers- we celebrate you.
Spottlight on the Future
Every year at this time, we are faced with thoughts about the future. The New Year pushes us to leave our last year behind- the good, the bad, the difficult, and the triumphant. In exchange, you may be thinking about where you will be moving forward. It is time to look at new goals, new changes, and preparing yourself for new challenges. Now is the time to think about where you want to go and who you want to be.
New Year, Same Us
Every year at this time, we are faced with thoughts about the future. The New Year pushes us to leave our last year behind- the good, the bad, the difficult, and the triumphant. In exchange, you may be thinking about where you will be moving forward. It is time to look at new goals, new changes, and preparing yourself for new challenges. Now is the time to think about where you want to go and who you want to be
Inside the Issue
The City of Philadelphia recently implemented regulations pertaining to the Building Energy Performance Policy. The goal of the Policy is to increase tenant comfort while decreasing energy costs and carbon emissions. The City anticipates implementation of the Policy will reduce carbon pollution by nearly 200,000 metric tons. The policy does not require specific levels of efficiency or energy usage, but rather focuses on improving building performance by identifying non-capital improvements to the operations and maintenance of existing systems. Industrial processes or specialized equipment are excluded.