|
|
Success Story: North Hill Elementary School
School District: Highline
School Location: Des Moines
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: October 2008
Level one of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2009
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- The school increased its recycling rate from 25 percent to 31 percent.
- The North Hill Ecology Club conducted classroom waste audits and made suggestions for improving waste reduction and recycling. Classrooms that were recycling successfully were provided with a “green classroom” certificate of recognition.
- Students made colorful posters to promote recycling. Student volunteers gave 18 classroom presentations to teach other students about why waste reduction and recycling are important and about what is and is not recyclable.
- Classroom recycling containers and recycling signs provided by the Green Schools Program were added throughout the school where needed.
- Several worm bins were added to help the school compost food scraps.
- With support from teacher Sherry Edwards and custodian Mary Hanson, the school initiated milk carton recycling and now recycles about 425 milk cartons per day.
- Throughout the school, one-sided copies are placed in bins or trays for re-use.
- North Hill initiated recycling of printer cartridges, cell phones and Capri-Sun juice pouches. These efforts reduce waste at the school and generate revenue for the Green Team through the resale and recycling markets.
- Teacher Sherry Edwards wrote a PTSA grant proposal and received funds to purchase “North Hill Green Team” T-shirts. Every Monday the Green Team wears these shirts in support of North Hill’s green efforts.
Awards
- 2009 King County Earth Heroes at School Award to teacher Sherry Edwards for her outstanding contributions to North Hill’s sustainability practices
For more information about this school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:
Sherry Edwards, teacher
edwardsl@HSD401.org
Mary Hanson, custodian
hansonme@HSD401.org
Frank Eshpeter, Highline Public Schools facilities services supervisor
eshpetf@HSD401.org
top of page
|
