|
|
Success Story: Snoqualmie Elementary
 |
(click image to enlarge)
Snoqualmie Elementary set up recycling containers and signs for its June 2009 field day. |
| |
 |
(click image to enlarge)
Earth Hero at School 2008. |
School District: Snoqualmie Valley
School Location: Snoqualmie
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: March 2007
Level one of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in June 2009
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Snoqualmie Elementary increased its recycling rate from 31 percent to 49 percent - a 58 percent increase – by expanding classroom recycling and starting a lunchtime recycling program that includes milk cartons.
- Recycling containers provided by the Green Schools Program were added to classrooms for comingled recyclable materials and to the lunchroom for milk cartons, juice boxes, plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
- Kitchens staff began to recycle steel cans.
- With the help of district groundskeepers, garbage and recycling containers were placed side by side in key areas on school grounds.
- Snoqualmie Elementary also collects plastic bags, eyeglasses, cell phones, printer cartridges and glue sticks for recycling.
- School staff placed recycling stickers on classroom and lunchroom recycling containers. Provided by the Green Schools Program, the stickers list what can and cannot be recycled.
- Teachers Jennifer Gjurasic and Bill Hayden, with support from principal Cori Pflug, have led Green Team efforts. The Green Team meets weekly to plan next steps.
- Students created paper reuse boxes, helped with recycling collection and worked on litter reduction campaigns.
- The Green Team implemented Waste Free Wednesdays to encourage students to bring durable and recyclable lunch containers from home. On Waste Free Wednesdays, garbage volumes are reduced by 80 percent.
- Teachers use technology when possible to limit the use of paper handouts. They are skilled at “rethinking” resource use.
- Snoqualmie Elementary has been a leader in the district and has encouraged other district schools to “go green.” The Green Team made a presentation to the school board about the school’s waste reduction and recycling successes, and met with representatives of Chief Kanim Middle School to help them start to make Green School improvements.
Transportation Choices/Energy Conservation
- The school became a “No Idle Zone” school.
- The school reduced energy use after the district provided automatic computer shut down at the end of every school day.
Awards
- Snoqualmie Elementary received a King County Earth Hero at School award in 2009 for achieving a culture of environmental stewardship where conservation is a daily practice and a natural part of the school curriculum and for encouraging other schools in the district to do the same.
- Terry Husseman Sustainable Schools Award (external)
Snoqualmie Elementary School’s plans for 2009-10 include the following:
- Working with the district to eliminate plastic silverware, clam shells and polystyrene bowls
- Scheduling the King County Elementary School assembly to educate students and staff about waste reduction and recycling
- Reducing energy use
- Leading district-wide efforts to eliminate polystyrene and to encourage the use of durable bags
Comments
“Thanks for all of your help. Our recycling program is off to a great start!”
– Jennifer Greenough, teacher, Snoqualmie Elementary School, 2008
“After the Wednesday no trash day, my daughter and a friend started a club called Making It a Better World Club….It’s fabulous that the recycling program has gotten these first graders thinking of ways they can make a difference. Thanks to everyone who is supporting this program!”
– Deborah Doy, Snoqualmie Elementary School parent, 2008
“We have it started, clearly, and the strongest indicator is in our kids' enthusiastic participation. They are young yet, and they can learn by practicing good habits. Our major challenge at this time is to get this program to be sustainable. What I want to work toward is to continue to have a green team made up of highly motivated people - teachers, parents, students, principal, custodians and county liaison.”
– Bill Hayden, teacher, Snoqualmie Elementary School, 2008
For more information about the school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:
Jennifer Gjurasic, teacher
greenoughj@svsd410.org
Cori Pflug, principal
pflugc@svsd410.org
top of page
|
