 Back- to- School Newsletter |
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| Greetings! |
It has been a busy summer for the staff and directors of Green Schools, and we are excited about getting back into the schools in the coming months and working with school educators and children on building knowledge and environmental stewardship thru our program offerings.
From our new partnership with Whole Foods Markets to working with Bill McKibben at 350.org, and promoting our opportunity to win much needed funding thru the Tom's of Maine promotion, it has been a busy time.
Enjoy our Back-to-School issue!
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| WHOLE FOODS MARKET Announces Partnership with GREEN SCHOOLS |  Shop at Whole Foods Markets in the locations below and make a tax-deductible donation to Green Schools during the month of September!
Whole Foods Markets, the world's leading natural and organic supermarket and America's first national organic grocer, invites shoppers to help support their fall fund raising campaign for Green Schools.
While checking out at any of the Whole Foods Markets below shoppers can make a tax-deducticble contribution to Green Schools:
Wellesley
Brighton
Charles River Plaza(Boston)
Symphony(Boston)
Bedford
Dedham
"Our shoppers like to make informed decisions about food and household goods they buy because they value the importance of a healthy diet and environment" said Lauren Klatsky, Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market in Dedham. "Whole Foods Markets cares about our communities and the environment, which is why our fund raising campaign Green Schools makes perfect sense."
We are very excited about the opportunity Whole Foods Markets has given us help raise funds to support our programs.
Please shop at Whole Foods Markets if you are in these areas, and support this valuable fund raising program.
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| Bill McKibben, Leading Environmentalist, Educator, and Writer Partners up with Green Schools |
 Bill McKibben is the founder of 350.org and a highly respected environmentalist and writer, and described by Times magazine as "the world's best green journalist". The Boston Globe has called him "probably the nation's leading environmentalist". ...and it is with enthusiastic pleasure I announce his willingness to work with Green Schools on a variety of future programs.
Bill writes:
"I grew up in the Massachusetts public school system, and that education has served me well all my life.
In those days though, we didn't fully appreciate the scale and gravity of the environmental challenge before us, or the opportunities it would provide for future generations of scientists, engineers, and other leaders. So it's with great pleasure that I've watched the work of the Green Schools movement.
Kids and teachers involved in this work need to know they're not alone. At 350.org, the first true global grass roots campaign on climate change, we work in 181 countries. And, almost everywhere it is young people who are taking the lead and bending the future.
The challenges we face are daunting-- but, when I despair sometimes, I always remind myself of the amazing energy and talent now bubbling from underneath, from the youngest members of society. It is a great honor and priviledge to get to work side by side with them, and with Green Schools."
 Bill McKibben and Robin Organ
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| New Green Schools President - Tammy Thornton |
It is with pleasure I announce the appointment of Tammy Thornton as Green Schools President of our Board of Directors. Tammy's role will include directing the Board activities, working with commitees and assisting Robin in planning and strategy.
Tammy comes to us with a strong background in environmental education and science and is currently in her 6th year of teaching Life Science in the Dover-Sherborne Middle School, and this past year was awarded a Green School's Green Difference Award.
"Being green is in my heart and soul..." stated Tammy. Welcome Tammy ! |
| New Student Officers for Green Schools Student Ambassadors | |
Introducing our new School Ambassador student officers for the 2010-2011 school year... From the left: Molly(a foriegn exchange student from France), Patrick, Lexie, Michelle, Jillian, Matt, and Student Ambassador Advisor- Sarah Moon.
The Student Ambassador Program brings environmentally-minded students in middle and high schools throughout Massachusetts to inspire one another, work on common projects, and be true ambassadors for green living in their schools and communities.
This program has expanded this year, and with the guidance of Sarah Moon we look forward to learning more about their programs in the coming year.
If you are a student or know of a student that may be interested in becoming a Green Schools student ambassador, then contact Robin for more info. |
| Mass House of Representatives awards Citation to Green Schools | |
THANK YOU !!! |
| International Green Schools Society |
 The International Green Schools Society is a student run organization that encourages sustainable living and environmental advocacy. The organization will reward members who exemplify these principles. Students qualify by earning points for their projects to better the environment. There will be more information on this exciting program within the Green Schools website in coming weeks. |
| York Maine Schools get Healthier with Green Cleaning and SCORE |
 The biggest challenge most schools face today to implementing Green Cleaning programs within the school district is reduced budgets. It's a big challenge to make schools greener, healthier, and safer at the same time there is less money to implement pro-active programs. The York, Maine Schools found the solution with AmSan's SCORE Program. The recent winner of a Green Schools Green Difference Award(pictured with their award is the York Schools Custodial Staff), the York Schools have become greener and safer, and at the same time reduced supply costs by almost 25%. Working with AmSan's SCORE program they have re-engineered how cleaning is done and supplies are purchased. Chemicals were reduced, and those in-use are all Green Seal certified. Dilution control is used for all chemicals to reduce waste and over-use. Staff was trained on how to reduce chemical use, while still doing an effective cleaning job. The results were amazing! The York Schools have reached a silver level certification under SCORE, which is one of the highest ratings nationally for a non-LEEDS building.
SCORE offers a comprehensive cost-managed curriculum for a school facilities department to improve the health and safety of their schools. There are currently over 400 school and university members of the program.
Studies show that a healthier and greener school, thru improved cleaning practices, can significantly improve academic performance. Some studies have shown as high as a 49% improvement in reading comprehension and 25% improvements in math scores in schools that have implemented comprehensive Green Cleaning programs. This is powerful stuff !
For more information on SCORE:
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Fundraising is important to our world and for our programs...
Unfortunately it takes money to do what we do and to continue to offer the school programs we have, thus the reason you have seen such a focus on fund raising the past couple of months. Thanks to all who have continuously voted every day on the Tom's of Maine program( wish us luck!), and to those who will support our fund raising program at Whole Foods Markets. They will help us greatly to expand our programs and reach more schools and children with understanding the benefits of sustainable and green living.
Thanks also to our corporate supporters, who not only have assisted with funding, but also offer advice and volunteer in many ways.
The summer vacation is over... we're all back to becoming educators... see you all soon!!
Robin Organ
Founder and Executive Director
Green Schools
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