Vision

This year our Green Team set out to achieve two goals. Our primary objective was to cultivate a deeper understanding of single-stream recycling principles and encourage improved waste disposal practices across our entire school population. The team opted for this initiative because they had noticed that recycling practices at our school were inconsistent. Our secondary goal focused on enriching our Outdoor Learning area through the acquisition and construction of a new garden box.

Action

To achieve our first goal, the committee collaboratively developed a comprehensive and engaging Google Slides presentation. This presentation meticulously covered crucial aspects of responsible waste management, including the detrimental impact of littering, detailed instructions on proper recycling techniques, and the critical importance of preventing contamination in recycling bins, particularly with unwashed containers. Prior to delivering the presentation, the committee conducted a two-week baseline assessment to quantify existing recycling habits. They meticulously tracked daily garbage and recycling disposal, revealing that students were properly recycling approximately 35% of the time. Armed with this valuable data, the committee then successfully delivered their informative and interactive presentation to every classroom, ensuring broad reach and engagement. After completing their presentation. The students tracked the results for 4 more weeks, determining that one month later our school had improved to 52% correct recycling. Periodically, the team continued to check in with students and was thrilled to see that they continued to be on track for continued improvement. In addition to the educational outreach, the committee also performed an inventory of existing signage throughout the school. They proactively replaced any lost or damaged “Recycling” and “Garbage” infographics, ensuring clear and consistent visual cues for proper waste separation.

To achieve our second goal, Students actively participated in the selection and assembly of the garden box, meticulously following the provided instructions. Through dedicated research into the benefits of various indigenous planting and gardening practices, the students made the informed decision to cultivate a Three Sisters Garden, thoughtfully planting corn, squash, and beans. This traditional intercropping method promotes symbiotic growth and ecological balance. The students have comprehensive plans to harvest the produce upon their return to school in the fall, intending to utilize the yield to provide nourishing hot lunches for the entire school community, thereby connecting their agricultural efforts directly to tangible benefits for their peers.

Reflection & Celebration

Our students and staff have successfully implemented a comprehensive single-stream recycling program, demonstrating a profound commitment to environmental responsibility. Through dedicated educational efforts, the school community has significantly enhanced its understanding of proper recycling protocols, leading to remarkable improvements in waste diversion across all grade levels. We are incredibly proud of the collective progress achieved and are committed to sustaining these advancements for many years to come, continuing to advocate for responsible waste management practices within our school and beyond.
To celebrate these achievements and reinforce best practices, a school-wide recycling competition was held, encouraging friendly rivalry and promoting diligent sorting habits. The Kindergarten class distinguished themselves with exemplary adherence to recycling guidelines, emerging as the top performers. Their outstanding efforts were celebrated with a well-deserved pizza party, recognizing their contribution to a more sustainable school environment.
The enthusiasm for environmental stewardship extends to our new school garden box, where students are eagerly anticipating their first harvest. This initiative provides a valuable hands-on learning experience about food systems and sustainable agriculture.
Furthering our commitment to eco-friendly practices, the school has acquired a compost box and is poised to launch a comprehensive composting campaign in the upcoming academic year. The primary objective of this initiative is to transform school waste into nutrient-rich compost, which will then be utilized to nourish our new garden box. This closed-loop system will not only reduce landfill waste but also provide a tangible example of sustainable resource management for our students, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world and promoting responsible consumption.