Schools

Promote your efforts!

The time is now to foster environmental stewardship!

Developing sound green habits at an early age will nurture appreciation for nature, enhance critical thinking and help children understand the importance of conservation.  Motivated students are more likely to become actively engaged citizens and recognize they can make a difference!  Based on our experience and research, here are suggestions on how to get started.  Enjoy the Green Tool Kits created to help you implement programs flawlessly!  See PLP Green Tool Kits for complete packet.


1:  Create a Green Team

Now that you have committed to bringing green initiatives to your school, invite staff (principal, teachers, custodians), parents and students to create a team.  Recruit 3 to 4 captains to spearhead various responsibilities.  Meet to review Mi Green School points and divide responsibilities.  To ensure everyone gets hands on participation create sub groups such as Michigan Green School, Recycling and Earth Day Event.  The entire team can meet once a month for an activity (see GT Activities for monthly suggestions) and then sub groups meet based on project requirements.

Engage, Empower, Achieve

Engage, Empower, Achieve


2: Green Recognition

Michigan Green School Achievement award is a terrific stepping stone to get staff and students engaged in green efforts.  A list of environmentally friendly initiatives, this provides your school with a checklist and common goals.  In April, the awards are announced just in time to celebrate Earth Day and be recognized for all the hard work!  Begin assessing points and strategize early, application deadline is March 1st.  Achieve the greatest impact by including the entire student body in collaborative efforts to earn points.  Find your County Coordinator

3:  Green Your School

The Center for Green Schools is a great source to green your building.  Start by implementing simple, energy reducing steps such as turning off lights, monitors and laminating machine when not in use.  Enhance indoor and outdoor air quality by  enforcing a No Idle policy.  When you’re ready, save substantial $ and energy by conducting a professional energy audit with  Ecotelligent Home .

  • Energy Reduction List of tips to reduce energy.
    Teach how to reduce energy loss by making door jams filled with kitty litter.

    Teach how to reduce energy loss by making door jams filled with kitty litter.

     

4:  Waste-free Lunches

Lets face it, school cafeterias generate a huge amount of trash.  Teach your students and staff the importance of waste reduction by implementing a comprehensive recycling program and encouraging waste-free lunches.
The first step is to check with your current district waste provider and ask about adding a recycling service for your school.  Many include a comprehensive recycling program and all you have to do is set up a separate recycle collection bin.
Secondly, sign up for a Terracycle Brigade to recycle the less common items like juice boxes and snack bags.  Finally check out the Waste-Free page to get families interested in packing waste-free lunches.


5:  Enlighten your students, staff & families

We all know organizing and communicating are instrumental to the success of rolling out new initiatives.  Don’t go to all this work and forget the final step: school awareness.  Host an assembly to launch your program and help students and staff understand “why” protecting the planet is important.  Programs such as “The Important R’s” by Peace, Love & Planet or Ecosize Me are fun and informative assemblies to encourage participation.  Alternatively, host an evening event to  engage families and garner support from home.  Field trips to the recycling center are also a great way to develop awareness about the importance of conservation.

3rd Graders at RRRASOC.

3rd Graders at RRRASOC.

 

Complete “Tool Kit”  Guide Here   Green Tool Kit