Wilmington Montessori School is participating in a new program called Delaware Pathways to Green Schools. This program aims to reduce environmental impact and costs, improve the health and wellness of students and staff, and provide effective environmental education in local schools. Eleven schools - seven public and four independent - were accepted into the 2015-16 program, which was developed by the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC) and is funded by the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility.

 

The WMS community has a long history of participation in efforts to "go green" both in the classrooms and beyond. Our participation in the Pathways to Green Schools program has given interested WMS parents and staff a chance to come together as a part of the Eco-Team to discuss and share the classroom and school-wide projects currently underway, as well as possible future initiatives. 

 

All participating schools receive an energy audit conducted by the University of Delaware's Industrial Assessment Center, assistance with energy benchmarking using EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager and one-on-one support with implementing new sustainability initiatives. WMS's facilities staff met with the University of Delaware energy audit team last week, and the report and recommendations are expected in the coming weeks.

 

As a part of the Pathways program, students are learning about another long-running WMS program - the ShoeBox Recycling program, led by parent Kelly Lambiras. Kelly is making presentations in the elementary classes about the environmental costs of making and disposing of shoes. Her presentation in Room 20 on Monday inspired many questions from the children about the resources used in shoe production, as well as ways to reduce shoe waste, reuse the materials in shoes and recycle shoes - to benefit others and our school.  The 9-12 classroom, as well as Room 19, will participate in the same presentation this week and next.  

 

Stay tuned for more news about the Pathways to Green Schools program here at WMS. If you would like to be a part of the WMS Eco-Team, please contact Laurie Orsic at laurie_orsic@wmsde.org.

 

 

Recently, the Room 20 students attended a presentation explaining the shoe recycling program we run here at WMS. They learned how it benefits the environment, other people in need and the school as a fundraiser. We wanted to reach out to families to help you better understand the program as well.

 

The program accepts all shoes. Anything not reusable is donated to a different program and used for raw materials. Most shoes donated are reusable and shipped to more than 50 different countries around the world. Once there, they are cleaned up and sold in small locally owned businesses at local prices, therefore, supporting local business owners, local economies and keeping prices affordable for local people. The program is also a fundraiser for our school. WMS receives 50 cents per pound for our donated shoes. Since we started this program three years ago, we have raised more than $1,200 for our school!

 

The children learned the phrase "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and the great importance of putting these words into action. In the world, about 34 million pairs of running shoes are made per day - about 25 billion pairs per year! Making one pair of sneakers creates about 30 pounds of CO2 gas, which is about 1 billion pounds per day or 750 billion pounds per year. It is estimated it takes about 1,247 gallons of water to make one pair of sneakers and approximately 4,385 gallons of water to make 2 pounds of leather. Hopefully seeing these statistics will inspire all of us to become more conscious consumers.

 

Reusing shoes, instead of throwing them away, reduces trash in landfills and oceans and reduces trash created during the manufacturing process. Here are a few "conscious consumer" options the children learned about:

 

We hope this inspires you to donate your old shoes and ask family and friends to pitch in as well. Thanks!