Newsletter September 2007
RECYCLING
As parents and teachers, it is our duty to educate our students to be responsible environmental stewards. It is not enough to just talk about the environment. Together, we must involve our children in taking action.
The average American makes approximately 4.5 pounds of solid waste daily. We are generating waste products faster than nature can break them down. We are using up resources faster than they can be replaced. In the meantime, our population is growing. Our need to recycle is urgently growing.
Our schools can provide true opportunities to participate in recycling. Visit www.PaperRetriever.com for paper recycling. Schools will receive financial rewards. Involve not only the kids and teachers at school, but the whole community. Schools will be paid for paper, magazines, newspapers, phone books, cardboard, and junk mail. Have contests to get the kids excited. Involve the kids in deciding how to use the money. Reward the kids for their efforts.
Go to www.ecophones.com or www.cartridgesforkids.com for information on recycling cell phones, inkjet cartridges, DVDs, laptops, MP3 players, video games & consoles, digital cameras, & portable DVD players. Organize a year long fundraiser. Collect, mail, and get paid. Plus you are making a difference in the landfill. You are involving the students in becoming environmental stewards.
The City of Garland will have its “Eleventh Annual School Aluminum Can Recycling Challenge” in November. Ask your families to start collecting aluminum cans at home now. Last year 20 schools participated. Herfurth Elementary received first place based on the number of pounds per student. The school earned $1131 for the cans plus a $300 award . Beaver Technology Center earned 2nd place and $528. Dorsey Elementary won 3rd place and received $293. Hillside Academy and Back Elementary received a very honorable mention. All schools receive profits for their cans. Please, start collecting for your school. Cans will be turned in during Texas Recycles Week, Nov. 12-17. If you have questions, please contact Michelle Releford at 972-205-3562 or you may call me.
How wonderful to fundraise by recycling. We also need to recycle because it is the right thing to do. Schools can set up a container to collect used batteries. They can be turned in to Circuit City or Radio Shack. Go to www.earth911.org to find recycling info for anything. Type in your zip code and the items in question. We don’t always have to get paid. Our efforts can be the reward.
RECYCLED ART CONTEST – grades 9-12 only – Deadline November 1st
How fun! Students create recycled 3-dimensional art from previously discarded materials. It should be no larger than 9” x 9” x 17”. Submit at least 4 photos. They must be received by Texas PTA by Nov. 1st. Entry forms are available from the Texas PTA website or contact me. What a fantastic project for art teachers and shop teachers to incorporate! Every high school student is welcome to enter.
AREA 14 FALL CONFERENCE – ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP – Sept 22
There will be an Environmental Workshop taught 2nd session only by Elvia Waggoner and I will be assisting. Hope a representative from each school can attend and I can meet you. I am bubbling with ideas and want to share them.
A CHALLENGE
If your school is interested in becoming involved with the Go Green Initiative and you contact me during the month of September, I will help you every step of the way (www.GoGreenInitiative.org). The same is true for the Keep Texas Beautiful program (www.ktb.org). There will be more information at Fall Conference. I am here for you.
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