The minute visitors walk onto the grounds of Riderwood Elementary School, they notice unmistakable signs that environmental learning is core to the school's philosophy. On the way in, they pass by our new "Kinder Garden" Nature Trail and admire the native perennials, shrubs and grasses that attract birds and butterflies. Toddlers waiting for their older siblings to emerge from the building at dismissal time especially love hopping across the garden's stepping stones. In the front lobby, a bulletin board declaring that "It's Easy To Be Green" highlights Green Team activities and displays pictures of students learning about the environment every day. A 4-foot, gaudy, sparkly ribbon made of recyclables adorns the door of the reigning Trash-Free Lunch Day champion homeroom. Signs in the bathrooms remind students of ways that they can conserve water and prevent water pollution.
And these are just special, visible projects that the Green Team has undertaken. What is happening quietly in every classroom on a daily basis is an increased emphasis that our students have a vital role to play as "environmental stewards" and a change in thinking that, though it constitutes just a small corner of the planet, our schoolyard can be an example of how small changes can contribute to a healthy environment.
Since Riderwood started working towards becoming a Green School, faculty, custodial staff, parents and students now have support and organization behind their ideas to further the environmental impact of the school. Members of the Green Team have heard many, many times "I always thought we should do a project like this but it's so hard to get the whole school on board and get organized. I can't do it alone." Or, "Does the Green Team know anyone that could do a demonstration for my class to make this current unit more interactive for the kids?" Our Green School process provides a mission and resources to support what individual teachers want to teach in their classrooms, what custodial staff want to do with the recycling program, and what students and parents are not able to accomplish individually.
This application reflects our Green School accomplishments from September 2012 through June 2014. Though coordinated by a parent volunteer, this application contains contributions from each grade-level chairperson and students (specifically, Girl Scout Troop 1953).
We are proud of the changes we have made in our students' and community's understanding of and respect for the environment. We hope you enjoy reading about our accomplishments.
Top 5 Green School Accomplishments:
And these are just special, visible projects that the Green Team has undertaken. What is happening quietly in every classroom on a daily basis is an increased emphasis that our students have a vital role to play as "environmental stewards" and a change in thinking that, though it constitutes just a small corner of the planet, our schoolyard can be an example of how small changes can contribute to a healthy environment.
Since Riderwood started working towards becoming a Green School, faculty, custodial staff, parents and students now have support and organization behind their ideas to further the environmental impact of the school. Members of the Green Team have heard many, many times "I always thought we should do a project like this but it's so hard to get the whole school on board and get organized. I can't do it alone." Or, "Does the Green Team know anyone that could do a demonstration for my class to make this current unit more interactive for the kids?" Our Green School process provides a mission and resources to support what individual teachers want to teach in their classrooms, what custodial staff want to do with the recycling program, and what students and parents are not able to accomplish individually.
This application reflects our Green School accomplishments from September 2012 through June 2014. Though coordinated by a parent volunteer, this application contains contributions from each grade-level chairperson and students (specifically, Girl Scout Troop 1953).
We are proud of the changes we have made in our students' and community's understanding of and respect for the environment. We hope you enjoy reading about our accomplishments.
Top 5 Green School Accomplishments:
- Restoration of a neglected, overgrown schoolyard habitat to create two new butterfly habitats, featuring host plants and nectar plants for monarchs and Baltimore Checkerspots.
- Creation of a "Kinder Garden" Native Plant Nature Trail. Students and visitors love to read the signs and garden labels, and hummingbirds and beneficial insects love the native plants, shrubs, and grasses.
- Monthly Trash-Free Lunch Day Competition. We encourage students to be trash-free as much as possible as often as possible, but enthusiasm really skyrockets during the monthly competition.
- Big celebrations: the "Art Goes Green" 2014 Art Show and celebrating Earth Day for a whole week with unique activities for each grade.
- Partnership with Green Center Cromwell Valley Park, which has resulted in hands-on demonstrations by park staff, habitat restoration support, and resources for lesson planning.