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Success Story: Green Gables Elementary School
School District: Federal Way
School Location: Federal Way
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: March 2009
Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in April 2010
Level Two of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2011
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Green Gables Elementary School increased its recycling rate from 50 percent to 61 percent, a 22 percent increase.
- In addition to improving classroom and lunchroom recycling, the school started a food scrap recycling program in the lunchroom and classrooms.
- Educational and outreach efforts included staff meeting presentations, classroom presentations on the “4 Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink) and a weekly litter patrol.
- The student green team created classroom certificates to recognize classes that do a good job recycling.
- Students share daily conservation tips with all staff and students via morning announcements.
- Student monitors in the lunchroom help the student body to properly sort garbage and recyclable materials.
- The student green team created a video to promote “Waste-Free Wednesdays.”
- Recycling containers, including food scrap containers, have been set up during parent nights and other family events.
- Student monitors use tongs to pull contaminants out of the food scrap containers to reduce plastic glove use and decrease contamination in the containers.
- Students created and posted signs in the bathrooms encouraging students to use only one paper towel to dry their hands.
- Newsletters are sent electronically to reduce paper use.
- Recycling containers were added to the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and stickers listing what can and can’t be recycled were placed on all recycling containers.
- Every year, students create a multi-media Earth Day assembly which includes drama, dance, music and information about environmental issues and how each student can become an earth steward.
Energy Conservation
- Each classroom conducted an energy audit related to their daily practices. The green team compiled the results and shared them with participants.
- All green team members participated in an energy reduction workshop through the King County Green Team program.
- The green team created energy reduction posters and placed them at significant locations throughout the school.
- The green team created an energy conservation game to support the school goal of reducing energy use at all levels.
- The green team also wrote and performed a play titled “The Energy Vampire Strikes Back.” The play highlights the importance of energy conservation, how energy conservation is related to recycling efforts and tips on reducing energy use at school.
Awards
- Teacher Karen Konrad received a King County Earth Hero at School award in April 2010.
A Leader in the District
- Green Gables is the first Federal Way Public School to recycle food scraps. The school’s success is serving as a model for the district.
- Teacher Karen Konrad is working with district leadership to create a district web page that will highlight green improvements in schools.
- In 2010-11, the school installed two rain gardens to support water quality and sustainability efforts.
- Green Gables was the first school in its district to complete a 50’ by 40’ organic garden consisting of six internal raised beds and a large bed surrounding the perimeter which is wheelchair accessible. The garden will contain drip lines, sink and open air compost bin. The garden will be an integral part of the school’s curriculum and community outreach efforts.
Comment
“At Green Gables we are all members of the Green Team, every day, all day. We believe that making a difference happens step by step, moment by moment. Through our collective efforts we can have a positive impact on how we relate to one another and the planet. For us, “Being Green” is not a just a slogan; it is a way of life.”
– Karen Konrad, teacher
For more information about the school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:
Karen Konrad, teacher
kkonrad@fwps.org
Evan Godsiff, teacher
egodsiff@fwps.org
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