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| April |
| Environmental Awareness April Calendar
The PDF calendar can be used to make copies for students, post in classrooms or on a wall in a common area of the school.
April 22
Earth Day
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| SWANCC Links |
| Programs
Resources
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| Be Part of SWANCC's Trashy Fashion Project! |
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SWANCC is looking for creative people to turn garbage into great-looking runway outfits for the Agency's Trashy Fashion Show project. In recognition of America Recycles Day observed on November 15th, SWANCC will host a fashion show to showcase the trashy fashions on Friday, November 13, 2009, at 7 pm at the Park Center in Glenview. Who can participate? Anyone - students, all grades, and adults - who live in one of SWANCC's member communities. The " trashy fashions" need to be created from materials destined for the garbage - NOT purchased materials! The outfits should also include three complimentary accessories made from trash. SWANCC will be hosting informational workshops where you will find out project criteria, learn techniques from a local artist and create a unique trash-to-treasure piece. You must attend a workshop to be part of the Trashy Fashion Show or send a representative. Thursday, April 23, 2009, from 6-8 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2009, from 6-8 pm The workshops will be held at SWANCC's office in Glenview and light refreshments will be served. If you plan to attend, registration is required at swancc.org/trashyfashionsworkshop. There is no fee to participate, but space is limited (20 per workshop) and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be emailed a confirmation notice with additional details once you register. SWANCC reserves the right to cancel a workshop if less than 10 people register or will add workshops on an as-needed basis. Workshop registration forms must be received by Friday, April 17th.
If you have any questions, please contact SWANCC's Recycling and Education Director Mary Allen at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204. |
| SWANCC Awards Certificates for Waste
Reduction Successes |
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What have you done this year to reduce waste? SWANCC wants to know, because based on waste reduction measures, schools will be recognized for their efforts with a customized certificate in a recycled circuit board frame. Activities may include but are not limited to: instituting waste-free lunch days; going from disposable serving trays, cups, plates, tableware to reusable -washable ones; instituting a two-sided copy policy, eliminating hard copy newsletters through electronic correspondence - or reducing paper consumption by sending home one newsletter per school family rather than per student (when more than one sibling attends same school); coordinating reuse projects; recycling; setting up an outdoor composting bin or indoor worm bin; participating in one or more of SWANCC's educational programs; etc. Upon receiving the completed form from a school representative (a principal, teacher or parent environmental representative), SWANCC will generate a certificate to highlight the school's waste reduction activities, which will be mailed to the school's principal mid-May. All forms must be received by April 30, 2009. If you have any questions or need a form mailed to you, contact Mary Allen at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204. |
| Hold the Date - Fall Informational Workshop |
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SWANCC will be hosting its 14th annual Informational Workshop for ecology club sponsors, green committee members and PTO/PTA school representatives on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at SWANCC's office located at 2700 Patriot Blvd, suite 110, in Glenview, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The morning-long workshop reviews SWANCC's many educational programs, provides a wide variety of national, state and regional resource materials and grant programs, and highlights ways to reduce waste at school though innovative activities and projects. It is a great way to connect with other school district representatives and get energized for the new school year. If you are leaving your position, please give this information to incoming replacements. There is no cost to attend this workshop, but space is limited and registration is required. Registration information will be available to download by mid-August at swancc.org. |
| Public Service Announcements Posted |
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On October 27, 2008, SWANCC held its second annual Public Service Announcement (PSA) workshop for teachers and ecology club sponsors. Under the direction of Brian Babarik, a local media producer, attendees received tips on writing, filming and editing a PSA.
The following schools are being recognized for their contributions and will receive a monetary donation to use for school environmental projects:
Harper College, Palatine
Chute Middle School, Evanston
Thomas Middle School, Arlington Heights
Olive Mary Stitt School, Arlington Heights
Pleasant Ridge School, Glenview
Solomon Schechter Day School, Skokie
Visit swancc.org for the judges' selections. The PSAs will also be offered to SWANCC-member communities with cable access network channels. |
| Volunteers Needed for Shoe Collection |
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As promoted throughout the school year, SWANCC is collecting athletic shoes for Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program on May 13 and 14, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Agency's Glenview Transfer Station. SWANCC is looking for individuals to assist with removing shoes from collection partners' vehicles and boxing them up - care to help out? If so, please contact Mary Allen at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204. Clubs, teams and community groups are welcome! Slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. SWANCC provides refreshments for all volunteers and a letter of community service, if requested. |
| SWANCC to Donate Gently Used Shoes to Soles 4 Souls |
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On another note, in cooperation with Soles 4 Souls, a non-profit organization that distributes gently used shoes to low income neighborhoods world-wide, staff will be sorting and boxing shoes that are too good or do not qualify for Nike's program as a reuse option. So, if you have gently used shoes not "fit" for Nike's program, set them aside and bring them to SWANCC's May event. To learn more, visit soles4souls.org.
If you are not signed up to be a SWANCC shoe collection partner, visit swancc.org. |
| Good Things Are Happening |
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 The fourth graders at St. Emily School in Mt. Prospect recently finished a unit on recycling with a focus on reducing waste. With SWANCC grant funds, Wrap-N-Mat reusable sandwich bags were purchased to promote a waste-free lunch day, and teachers, Mrs. Brubaker and Mrs. Brunelli boasted that only 3 pieces were thrown away.
 Due to the success and excitement, students are making every day a waste-free day! As part of this unit, fourth graders made sculptures out of things put in a recycling bin. Who says you can't have fun while learning?
 Under the direction of PTA environmental committee chairwoman Sara Novak, Olive Mary Stitt School in Arlington Heights received a grant from the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Criteria for this grant included conducting a school waste audit. Most people would not find an invitation to rummage through gallons of garbage very appealing, but that did not stop a handful of parent volunteers from accepting the challenge. Donned with gloves and old clothing, they sorted through a day's worth of garbage and were stunned by the amount of waste generated - particularly in the lunchroom. This prompted an immediate meeting to review options to reduce the garbage and put a plan into action. The plan included setting up a recycling program - in classrooms and the cafeteria, instituting waste-free lunches, installing a self-serve buffet in the lunchroom, establishing a two-sided copying policy and encouraging students and staff to bring reusable water bottles and containers for classroom snacks.  The school's ecology club, Earth Squad, promoted each activity and project with posters, peer monitoring and morning announcement reminders, and their efforts landed big results. The bottom line - plastic was reduced from 225 gallons to 80 gallons and paper from 125 pounds to 90 pounds. When asked how the PTA obtained information for conducting such a large task, Sara said, "Support from SWANCC has been invaluable in our work. We encourage any school that is trying to reduce waste and to increase recycling to consider using SWANCC staff as a primary resource for tools and inspiration." |
| Share Your Story on TribLocal.com |
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| The Tribune Company has developed TribLocal, a weekly newspaper for many communities in Illinois and it is coming your way soon! This newspaper content will be produced by local residents to share stories, photos and events within the community.
Content that is uploaded online may be printed in the full-color weekly newspaper. TribLocal offers helpful advice for writing stories, and will contact you if your story will be printed in the print version. Share your story and inspire others to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Communities added online in March:
Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Wilmette, Winnetka
Communities to be added in April:
Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Skokie, Wheeling
Communities to be added in June:
Barrington, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows
Learn more at triblocal.com and be sure to look for SWANCC events. |
| New Resource Material for Loan |
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SWANCC has the following new media and books available for loan to educators that teach in a school located in one of SWANCC's 23 member communities.
Environmental Ethics, Examining Your Connection to the Environment and Your Community (62-minutes, VHS or DVD with educator guide and student workbook, recommended for high school and above) profiles a diverse group of courageous Goldman Environmental Prize winners who have made it their duty to protect their local environments.
Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home (76 minutes, DVD, recommended for 4th grade and above) is a feature documentary about how the family household has become one of the most ferocious environmental predators of our time.
Mama Earth - Her Destiny - Our Hands (21 minutes, DVD, recommended 7th grade and above) with humor and compassion, this film is an inspiring road map of successful ways to achieve sustainability through reinventing old methods and finding new paths to healthy communities, protecting natural resources and attaining a more profitable bottom line.
Low Carbon Diet - A 30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds (middle school and above) Learn how to save money, save energy and protect the planet, be part of the global warming solution! Tips can be applied at school or at home.
Teaching Green: The High School Years (grades 9-12) Hands on learning with innovative ideas and activities aimed at engaging teens in developing the skills and abilities to understand and address today's complex environmental issues.
Green Guide (middle school and above) Through illustrations, readers gain knowledge of green choices and how-to-tips.
Recycled Crafts Box (all ages) Earth-friendly projects & activities kids can create
I Can Save the Earth, Alison Inches (early elementary) - one little monster learns to reduce, reuse and recycle.
The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle, (early elementary) a story about the process of recycling a plastic bottle
Materials can be loaned for up to 2 weeks and must be picked-up and returned to SWACNC's office in Glenview during business hours. To request any of the posted materials, contact Mary Allen at mary@swancc.org or (847) 724-9205, extension 204.
See a complete listing of books, DVDs, curriculum guides, teaching tools and trade publications. |
| Resources Corner |
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Kids Against Pollution is a multinational network of youth dedicated to solving and preventing pollution problems through interactive education projects and events in order to protect children's health and the planet. For more information, visit kap-international.com.
Planet Connect Program is a new online network for high school students to learn about the environment plus green college and career options and offers grants for environmental projects. Visit planet-connect.org for details.
Improving Kids' Environment (IKE) has developed a fun, home-made game to play with children to teach them (and their parents) about mercury in fish and what kinds of fish are safest to eat. Check out their website and while you are on the computer, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's game at epa.gov.
Zero Footprint Kids is a carbon footprint calculator for children, measuring the direct impact of a child's lifestyle on the planet, using terms kids understand: carbon, land, water and trees at zerofootprintkids.com.
Kids Recycle! teaches how to compost outdoors at home or at school - and inside with worms - composting guides and manuals show kids how at kidsrecycle.org.
The Lorax Project offers games and activities to unite students in protecting the forests and endangered species of our planet at lorax.conservation.org. | |
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Together we will make a difference!
Sincerely,
Mary Allen
SWANCC |
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