New Composter

We want to thank Mrs. Sawyer for donating our new composter. We put it next to the garden close to the primary hall so that it would be convenient to the garden and easy for us to use. We checked out the vegetables growing in the garden...cabbage and brussel sprouts. Then we added the pumpkins that had begun to rot from our pumpkin exploration in October as our "green" ingredient. We added some shredded paper as our "brown" ingredient. It will make for some great soil in the spring. And we get to watch it break down through the winter. I wonder if we will get any worms moving in to help out in the process. What do you think? Do you have a composter or a compost pile at your house?

Recycling in the Past

We studed the American Patriotic Symbols this past week in first grade. We discovered that the original Liberty Bell was recycled when it cracked the first time it was rung. It was too much to send it back to England for repair, so it was melted down here in America and reformed. Because it then sounded strange it was melted down again and reformed to become the bell that we all know. I bring this up because we need to think everyday about how we can work to reduce our waste by recycling and reusing things in stead of throwing them away. CELEBRATE with us National Recycling Day Tuesday, November 15th, by wearing your green. I'll be looking for you.

Back at the Keyboard

Sorry it has been so long. Know that it is not due to a lack of conservation going on here at Creeds ES. We have enjoyed another fabulous school-wide Earth Day celebration. We had pumpkin sprouts growing in the vermicomposter. Some staff members took an outdoors classroom habitat class over the summer so we could embed learning about nature in our outdoor classroom better this year. Terracycle collections did well. One of our parents was inspired to make jewelry from empty gift cards as a way of reusing the card materials instead of letting them rot at the dump. The Conservation Chiefs decided that we needed recycle bins at our baseball fields so people would have a place to put empty bottles and cans. Sweet potatoes were harvested in the 1st grade garden in September during our Day of Caring. Two more rainbarrels were installed. Preschool PowWow hosted another amazing conservation evening where children learned about recycling, reusing, reducing, and composting. Tadpoles were rescued when the Frog Bog went dry in the spring and the students had the opportunity to watch the lifecycle of real frogs in the classroom before releasing them to a wetter habitat. The path through the Frog Bog area was improved by a boy scout project and the placement of stump seating thanks to Mr. Andy and the hurricane that blew over a large tree. There is bench seating by the pier enough for an entire class. We have been busy, but I will try to stay on top of it again. I hope you too have been diligent about making conservation efforts. Let us know what YOU have been doing.

Another Terracycle Shipment

We sent in 42 pounds to Terracycle. That's Drink pouches, gluesticks, and zipper bags that won't be found at the landfill. Give yourselves a pat on the back for collecting so diligently. Keep sending in your collectible waste items. Terracycle will put them to good use and pay us for collecting them. We have all ready recieved a check for $192 for our efforts. I cannot wait to see what the Conservation Chiefs decide to purchase with the earnings. Oh, if you haven't been out to the Frog Bog recently, stop by and check it out. 1st Grade toured it last week, identifying living and non-living things and hunting for evidence of seeds. There may not be a lot of new growth yet, but it is still worth the visit.

Down and Dirty

The worms are back at work eating through food waste, coffee grounds, and shredded newspaper. They have all ready started making castings, which will act like fertilizer in the garden. They seemed very happy to be inside where it is warmer, though the compost pile from which they were retreive seemed pretty warm. At least in their new home they won't have as many friends to compete with for food. Well, not for the time being anyway. If they are as happy as the worms last year, then we'll have babies again before the end of the year.

Collection Totals

AWESOME! In January, Towels for Terriers collected 100 towels, 103 washclothes, 90 hand towels, and 33 blankets. Those numbers are great for one month of collecting. We want to thank everyone who particapated in January by sending in their old linens. Did you know Towels for Terriers was the idea of a 7th grader at Princess Anne MS? She came up the plan to collect and deliver the linens to the SPCA to help the be more eco-friendly. So don't ever let anyone tell you that one person can't make a difference. Here's proof that it only takes one person with a desire to make a difference.
Speaking of collections, our check for our Terracycle collections came in this month. We added 192 dollars to our account to be use here at Creeds ES to help us with our GREEN movement. The Conservation Chiefs and the Frog Boggers will be deciding what to spend it on this spring. I can't wait to find out what it goes toward. Until then: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink everyday!

Reuse It

Did you know the Conservation Chiefs reused some items that where headed to the recycle bin and trash can to create things with a new purpose. Their efforts extended the useful life of these items. Some students created cute storage containers and others created musical instruments. Before you throw that next container into the trash, think about how else you might use it. By reusing things, you reduce waste going to the landfill, you reduce the need for new resources to make new items, and you could even save yourself the money required to purchase the new things. Reusing is good for the environment and your bank account. Give it some thought. What can you reuse and how can you extend its life?

Reduce? Reuse? Recycle?

Which do you think is the most important...reducing, reusing, or recycling? Ask a Conservation Chief. They will explain why reducing makes the biggest impact. They can even share some ways that each of us can reduce our use of resources and the amount of trash we send to the landfill. We are going to try to always turn off lights when we aren't in the room. Turning the water off is a way to save water. Reusing and recycling help us to reduce. Composting food waste has helped us to reduce cafeteria waste. It is all great for the Earth and it doesn't take much effort. How can you reduce your dependence on natural resources? How can you reduce the amount of waste going in the trash?