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August 2012 News
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Interact With Green Schools!
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Silver Level Sponsor
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| Greetings! | August is here and that means getting ready for Back to School. As you and yours student are making the neccessary preparations consider ways to make less of an impact on the environment with a Waste Free Lunch. Even if you aren't going Back to School, all adults can make a difference with a Waste Free Lunch. Here are some helpful and easy tips to make small, but effective changes.
- Use reusable containers such as lunchboxes, water bottles, and reusable snack pouches.
- Pack cloth napkins and silverware that can be washed later.
- Hang on to those take out containers and reuse to store and transport food.
- Try and pack only what you will eat or save unfinished food for later instead of throwing it away.
- Try and compost food scraps
- Remember to recycle as much of your lunch waste as you can
- Try to buy in bulk so that you don't have individual containers/bags that get thrown away
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| Exciting News to Share! | |
Kind words from U.S. Senator, John Kerry, about Green Schools!
"Project Green Schools' innovative programming will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water quality, expand alternative transportation, and help our kids become the next generation of environmental leaders" - John Kerry
Safe Chemicals Act passes in Senate!
To learn more about the Safe Chemicals Act and what this means for YOU check out this article from Mother Nature Network
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| Student Ambassador Officer Spotlight | |
Meet Jillian, one of our Green Schools Student Presenters
My name is Jillian and I started an Environmental club at my middle school in 6th grade. In 7th grade, I became an active member of Green Schools, attending monthly meetings and going to many of the environmental fairs that Green Schools used to be a part of. That year, an environmental fair came to the middle school and a Green Schools workshop came too. I created the GSS logo and a bunch of online flyers and information to use during the following summer. In 8th grade, as a co-Communications Officer, I helped to develop, edit, format, and write for the Student Ambassador Newsletter (which is now being replaced by additions to the Green Schools Newsletter). In 9th grade, I have continued to be a part of Green Schools and have attended some of the outings taking place about once a month. I am going to lead the Environmental Club at my high school, Algonquin Regional High School, next year so I find that I will be very busy with that, implementing a comingling program (hopefully), and helping to change my school for the greener. I now have the position of being a Green Schools Student Presenter because I really like public speaking. Go green!
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Resources and Ideas to Share
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Green Ribbon Schools Web Conferences
Over the past few years, EPA has organized several Web conferences to discuss key topics of interest to IAQ champions. To learn participate in a Web conference or learn more visit their website
Check out this great video!!
Can shopping save the world? The Story of Change urges viewers to put down their credit cards and start exercising their citizen muscles to build a more sustainable, just and fulfilling world.
Check out this Garden idea!
Great school garden broken up by grade levels in Newton, MA.
(Photo Credit: Organ)
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in style! Great use of Coke bottles. What projects can your students make???
 (Photo Credit: Organ Green Roots) |
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Green Schools Receives Mini Grants
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Green Schools was recently awarded two Stop & Shop Mini Grants with support from the Hockomock YMCA!
The first grant will allow us to organize a Healthy Students Ambassador Committee made up of two Green Schools Student Ambassadors from each of the 15 towns serviced. Furthermore, Green Schools will develop 30 Student Ambassadors, a program of ours that is tried and true, with a focus on Wellness [Environmental Nutrition Education + Environmental Activity Education = Environmental Action].
The second grant will allow us to establish a Wellness Committee made up of 15-30 Teachers and Wellness Advocates from 15 neighboring School Communities.
More details coming soon...
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Green Teacher Summer Issue and Webinars
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Summer Issue: "Exploring Biophilic Learning." This issue is packed with a variety of environmen tal education articles and activities. The feature article this month focuses on human's innate need to connect with the natural world, using activities to encourage the expression of our nine biophilic responses. You can also investigate walkability in urban communities, go on a letterboxing expedition, and learn about how different students in low-income communities got engaged in environmental issues.
Green Teacher Webinars:
In the last couple of months, Green Teacher has continued to add new webinars to their Fall webinar series, and they now have a total of 8 exciting webinars scheduled in September and October (details below, and at www.greenteacher.com). These webinars will be available to anyone free of charge.
To order a subscription to Green Teacher, or a copy of any of Green Teacher issues or books, please visit their website.
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Next Generation Science Standards Now in Development
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 In a process managed by Achieve, 26 states are leading the development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The science education community got a first glimpse of the NGSS draft when it was released during the first public comment period from May 11 through June 1. According to Achieve, the writers are now working to review all of the comments and develop a second draft to be released for public comment in the fall 2012. Achieve has removed the first draft from the web while it undergoes revision. Science educators are encouraged to continue to become familiar with the NRC Framework-the foundation for the NGSS-to prepare for implementation of the standards when a final version is completed in 2013. QUESTIONS? E-mail your questions or concerns about the NGSS to ngss@nsta.org.
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Grant Opportunities
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Home Depot Community Impact Grants Deadline: August 13
Grants, up to $5,000, are available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools, or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services. More competitive grant proposals will specifically identify projects for veterans and will include housing repairs, modifications, and weatherization work. Once grant applications are reviewed, all applicants will receive a written response within six weeks of receipt of a request. Click Here
Nestle Very Best in Youth Program D
eadline: November 8
Nestlé helps young people, who want to make a difference, realize their dreams by donating $1,000 in the name of each winner to the charity of his/her choice. Nestlé also awards the winner a trip for them and a parent or guardian to Los Angeles, California for the Nestlé Very Best In Youth awards ceremony. The trip includes round trip coach air travel, hotel accommodations for three nights, and spending money. Contestants must be between 14 and 18 years of age and have parental or legal guardian permission to submit the entry form. Contestants must also demonstrate good citizenship, a strong academic record, and show how they have made a special contribution to their school, church or community.
DoSomething.org Seed Grants Deadline: Ongoing
Are you working to start a community action project or program with your friends? Do you need money to put your ideas into action? A $500 Do Something Seed Grant is given out every week to help young people just like YOU! These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time. These grants can also be used towards projects that are already developed and sustainable, towards the next steps of your project and organization to help you as you look to expand your project and grow your impact. Click Here
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A message from your Newsletter Coordinator
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As your new Newsletter Coordinator I wanted to let you know that if you had any questions regarding newsletter content or if you had any information, events, or exciting news regarding your school/business that you would like to share in our monthly newsletter please send an e-mail to: newsletter@projectgreenschools.org Please note all submissions will be reviewed before being placed in our newsletter. Thank you Tammy
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Save the Date...
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08/10/2012 I NOFA Summer Conference I Amherst, MA I 4:00 - 5:30pm
08/17-18/2012 | Boston Green Fest | Boston, MA
City Hall Plaza
10/7/2012 | Mansfield, MA (Mansfield HS)
Green Schools Launch of Programs for 2012-2013
Please save the date for the Green Schools Launch!
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Sincerely,
Robin Organ
Founder and Executive Director
Green Schools
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