Capri Sun Collections

We are now collecting Capri Sun drink pouches to send to TerraCycle to upcycle into new exciting products instead of throwing the pouches in the trash to be sent to the dump. You can send your empty pouches to the school in a zipper bag with the straws removed. The conservation club will be readying them to mail to TerraCycle. With the 2 cents per pouch earned the conservation club will get to purchase something to add to the outdoor classroom pond or some other earth-friendly project. How many do you think we can collect before June?

Be Green through the Holidays

Every little act of green will help. Reuse gift boxes, gift bags, and cards instead of tossing them and buying new. You can start a new tradition by writing inside the box or bag who gave and recieved the gift and what it was each year, so that in addition to the excitement of a gift, you give the joy of a memory. Recycle all plastic or cardboard containers that are labeled as recyclable. Reduce the amount of electric you use lighting the outdoor decorations by turning them off before you go to bed and switching to LED lights. Enjoy your holiday traditions, spread the spirit of the season, and give the gift of GREEN to future generations. Happy Holidays!

It's Is Like Christmas

Mrs. Barber and I are excited about the items that have come in for Frog Bog because we just know that you are going to be as excited about it as we are when the weather warms and we can spend time outside planting and exploring. Here is just a short run down on what will be in our outdoor classroom: a bat house, ladybug houses, birdhouses, benches, a vegetable garden, a butterfly garden and bench, stone markers, and (my favorite) a twin-barrel composter and worm composter. In addition, the plants and trees will be planted by then so we can all enjoy them. If you would like to be part of the planting process, let us know. We will be looking for some good volunteers.

Cloth Napkin Tradition

In room 104, we started a new Thanksgiving tradition this year for our literature feast. We saved trees by using cloth napkins and making napkin rings by reusing empty toilet paper rolls. It added a touch of elegance and personalization. It was our ONE change for conservation for the Thanksgiving holiday. What will you do to save our world?

Commit to Changing Just 1

Commit to changing just one thing to conserve resources. Being green doesn't have to start as a huge commitment. Commit to changing just one thing to reduce, reuse, or recycle. It can be as easy as listening to that voice from the past that says to turn off the lights when you aren't in the room, fixing a leak, or packing lunches with reusable containers instead of plastic bags. For a list of great ideas that range from easy to hard, short-term trials to long-term projects like composting, check out One Million Acts of Green at http://www.greennexxus.com/omaog/index.aspx. The idea is that everybody working together to making one small green improvement in their life will add up to a big improvement for the world. And just maybe, they'll want to make one more small green improvement. Give it a try! Consider it an experiment or accept it as a challenge. Let us know how you do.

Veterans' Day

Since 1938, Veterans' Day has been an national holiday to celebrate and honor our veterans who have served to protect our freedom and keep us safe. Though not as elaborate as a parade, I did clean out my closets and fill a bag for the Disabled American Veterans. Maybe someone can benefit by reusing my gently used clothes. The veterans can use the money to serve their purposes. Did you do anything to honor the veterans?

Have you seen the Frog Bog at Creeds ES? It is the pond and its surrounding area behind the parking lot on the public library side of the school. It is the beginning phase of our outdoor classroom. The dream is to expand it to include a butterfly garden, a retirement garden, a vegetable garden, an amphibian habitat, and a compost project. It already includes nice mulch covered paths behind the pond and naturally growing plants. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Impressive Advances in Sustainability

Today I went to the Renaissance Academy Building on Witchduck Road and Cleveland Street which is due to open in January. WOW! It is an impressive example of Virginia Beach Schools going GREEN. It has a green roof covered with small plants to keep the building more insulated from weather and sound. The building collects rain water for flushing toilets. It has a geothermal heating and cooling system whereby water travels in pipes underground. Since the temperature is mostly consistent at 58 degrees, the water doesn't need to be heated or cooled as much to provide a comfortable indoor atmosphere. These are just a few of the great ideas being implimented. You will soon be able to check it all out on-line as it becomes an educational tool for everyone with computer access. There is proof that it only takes a dream and a little initiative. I cannot wait to see what is next.

Our Future

Our future is in your hands...each and every one of you. Conservation means protecting and saving our natural resources for the future. It is a decision you have to make for yourself. Every little bit will help. What can you commit to doing daily to help conserve resource? Ask our 1st graders what they do and you will get lots of "green" answers about reducing, reusing, and recycling.