Some schools are beginning to understand the importance of going green, but if you suspect yours is still living in the Dark Ages, here are a few questions you may want to ask the teacher, the principal, or the school board:
10. Does the school recycle? Hopefully there are recycling bins in each classroom, the hallways, and the cafeterias.
9. Speaking of the cafeteria, how nutritious is the lunch it serves? Check the monthly menus to see if there are any healthy alternatives featured on them.
8. Does the school purchase green supplies such as water-based paints, green tissues, green pencils, recyclable paper?
7. Does the teacher talk to the students about living green? Some teachers are so busy teaching the three R’s that they may forget to include green.
6. Does the school have any type of carpool system? If there is no carpool system, offer to help organize one.
5. What is the school’s policy on pesticides used on the school grounds? Hopefully their practice a green policy when it comes to pesticides, but don’t just assume that. At the very least, the parents should be notified before a pesticide is used.
4. Does the teacher know about the Drink Pouch Brigade? If the school is registered with the program, it can earn $.02 for each pouch collected.
3. Are there any local businesses willing to help the school go green? Has anyone even asked? If not, this project may start with you!
2. Does the teacher have the students do any green projects? If not, offer to help. The teacher may be too overwhelmed to do these things on his or her own, so offer to help come up with ideas like starting a garden or a compost heap.
1. What type of cleaning supplies does the school use? Some schools are implementing the practice of using green cleaning supplies, but again, don’t assume anything.
Of course, while you may want change, you cannot do it on your own. Join the PTO and see if others in the organization are interested in helping the school go green.
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