How do i get my elementary school involved in the go green movement on a larger scale?
I have started and initiative to recycle paper at my child’s elementary school in order to prevent trees from being cut down. I would like my school to more widely involved with the community and i just don’t know where to start to do this. Someone please help!!!
At my school, we have recycling boxes that are just a cardboard box in every classroom that say paper recycling on them. Just put one of those in every classroom and get some of the 2nd graders to pick them up at lunch recess and bring them to a spot. Then you can bring the boxes to a recycling depot and replace them the next day.
I just watched a 20 minute video called "The Story of Stuff" in my college class, dont worry its very very easily understood. Thats a good start to help kids get a broad picture, though it may be too much for elementary, I dont know.
Something Ive always found good for youngsters is learning stewardship and responsibility of land directly. Have them grow lettuce in their homes maybe, its easy to do and they can actually consume it. Its amazing that some people dont realize how food gets to their plates. This is a good start for young ones. Perhaps repeating ideas everyday- "take only what you need". Have them think vocalize what the consequences are of overuse. Everyday you could have them say what they are thankful for, what kind things they did for someone, etc. These things build a great foundation.
Best of luck!
Maybe start a composting system. It would fit well with your recycling initiative and is a good way to stress waste reduction as well as a pretty hands on way of learning basic biological processes. I didn’t compost when I was younger, but I’m friends with some folks that have done it all their lives and they say it taught them a lot when they were young. Also, it could be cool to do some gardening alongside the composting (as the two really go together).
around here they have started a walking school bus of sorts where parents and teachers escort the children to school that live in nearby neighborhoods that are within reasonable walking distance to the school. The kids still get "picked up" as they would on a school bus route but on a walk instead with the group. The kids get exercise and it promotes the green movement at the same time.
Here are a few ideas and some resources that might be able to provide inspiration and help:
* plant trees and/or raise money to help other people plant trees
http://www.unep.org/billiontreecampaign/
http://plantabillion.org/
* plant a native plant garden, butterfly/bird garden, or other garden designed to attract wildlife and support biodiversity (it can also be useful for your science teachers)
http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/
http://www.for-wild.org/
* plant an organic vegetable garden and use the produce for school lunches or to sell to raise money for the school (you could plant heirloom vegetables and make it even greener)
http://www.organicgardening.com/
http://www.seedsofchange.com/
http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/
* start a farm-to-school lunch program at your school to bring in fresh, local, organic produce for school lunches
http://www.farmtoschool.org/
http://www.organic.org/articles/showarti...
http://www.organicschoolproject.org/
here is a few things i like to do with my companies that are fun, green, and easy.
paper projects:
make paper: http://www.wipapercouncil.org/makepaper.htm
basic steps: rip up old paper, place in blender (with water), shape, take out water and dry.
paper pads:
with recycled paper, cut in half. printed side down, make a short stack as tall as you can make it and still be able to have a staple go through. staple a line of staples at top of stack closest to the edge. this will be like the glue on a normal pad of paper. now you have a scratch pad to write notes, messages, directions or fast phone numbers on.
other things: rummage sale
i really hate that people waste so much. i am a big fan of thrift shopping in that things have a second life, non-profits benefit and people can buy things for cheep in this economy. everyone wins.
I recommend having an annual or bi-annual rummage sale. proceeds would go to the school for books, desks or even a pizza party for the kids. kids and classrooms could be rewarded for bringing in items all year round for the big garage sale. my school has contests for the classrooms who brought in the most for the food drive. teachers gave extra credit to kids who participated, and the classroom who bring in the most got a party.
your school would need a storage room for items, volunteers to sort, price and work at the rummage sale, and advertise through flyers or magazines like bay area parent and the wave.