It’s that time of year – chances are your youngins’ have started back to school. I’ve done blogs in the past on how to be green with school kids, but let’s do a quick review. Here are some questions you may want to ask your school:
Do they recycle? If so, there should be bins labeled for paper, cans, and cardboard.
What are the teachers teaching? Going green is becoming a bigger part of education, so don’t hesitate to ask your child’s teacher what she is doing as far as a green education. Don’t be afraid to suggest green projects the students may want to undertake (but also offer to volunteer to help!).
Speaking of green, how green is the cafeteria? Do their serve nutritious, balanced meals? They should also be big on recycling. If your child takes his or her lunch, be sure to use reusable lunch totes, bags, containers, and cups. If you send drink pouches in the lunch, see if the school is a part of the Drink Pouch Brigade, which can raise money for the school.
Does the school offer a carpool system? Emissions are a big problem and many parents sit idle while waiting for school to start or while waiting in line to drop their children off. And those parents whose children ride the bus need to be concerned as well. Emissions from buses are often unintentionally aimed at student walkways while they sit idling. If you are concerned, get the PTO involved to spiff up busing rules.
Right now, it may be too hot where you are for the kids to go outside for recess, but when they do, have you thought about the pesticides that might be on the ground? If the school doesn’t go green with pesticides, they should at least notify parents when pesticides are used in areas where the children may be playing.
Returning to school can be a fun, exciting time, but going green should be a part of their education.