Environmental impact reports are now available for December. As a result of recycling efforts last month, LPS saved:
- 597 trees
- 144,008 kWh of energy
- 245,868 gallons of water
- 116 cubic yards of local landfill space
- 2,107 lbs of air pollution
- 14,401 gallons of fuel
Lincoln Public Schools has excellently cleaned and maintained buildings all across the district thanks in large part to our hard-working custodial teams. But did you know our custodians are also a huge help to our sustainability efforts? Despite the many challenges they have been facing the last few years, many custodial teams continue to demonstrate leadership when it comes to our waste diversion programs [more].
The results of the Eastridge Elementary 9th Annual Recycle Holiday Lights Drive are in! This year, the Lincoln Community recycled 11,077 pounds of holiday lights! The drive raised $6,274.80!
Eastridge PTO gives back 25% to Lincoln Fire Fighters Operation Warm and another 25% to the LPS Science Focus Program. Scrap Central Inc also matches funds raised for those two groups.
Over the 9 years the event has been held, 91,080 pounds of holiday lights have been diverted from the landfill through Scrap Central Inc recycling, totaling $36,380.97 raised. This event is just one of many great examples of LPS schools raising money AND helping the planet!
Due to successful actions to reduce food waste in the cafeteria, Hartley Elementary was recognized as a 2021 Food Recovery Challenge recipient! Thanks to continued efforts from staff and Assistant Custodial Supervisor, John Jennings, these elementary students are experts at sorting their lunch trays for compost and setting aside unopened and uneaten food for reuse. Visit the EPA news release to learn more about this award and Hartley’s achievements.
In case you missed it, Irving Middle School and Belmont Elementary School were recently honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as two of the most energy-efficient buildings in the country [more].
Warmer weather will be here soon, and we know school gardens and outdoor learning will be on many people’s minds. To kick off the planting and growing season, LPS Sustainability will be partnering with Community Crops to host another Garden Gathering Event. There are two sessions available, Tuesday March 8th 4-5:30pm and Thursday March 10th 9:30-11am. This event will include networking opportunities, information about planning your garden, and a hands-on seed propagation training. The gathering will be hosted at the Community Crops Greenhouse, located at 4200 S 1st St. Click here to register!
The virtual LPS STEAM Fest is back for the second year! The event focuses on activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. All LPS 5th-8th grade students are encouraged to participate April 7-22. Students can share how they participated and be entered into a drawing for some awesome STEAM prizes. All participants will receive a student-designed STEAM Fest t-shirt.
The planning committee is still looking for activity submissions from community partners, and that deadline is February 11th. Learn more about the upcoming event on the LPS STEAM Fest website.
Earth Day is April 22nd
Earth Day is coming up on Friday, April 22nd – has your school started planning yet? There are plenty of ways for schools to celebrate that day, week, or even all month long! The Green Schools Recognition Program has a variety of activities and resources for inspiration, and more details on 2022 Earth Day opportunities will be coming out soon.
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center and the American Institute of Architects Lincoln are collaborating to bring the Big B.A.D. Birdhouse Project to Lincoln. This project is a birdhouse building and design competition, and will end with a special fundraising event to support ongoing STEM programming for the Lincoln Community Learning Centers at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. The project provides youth, families, and all audiences the opportunity to share their artistic and design skills with the community in a fun and collaborative way.
Birdhouses can be entered in two categories divided by six grade/age levels. Winning birdhouses in each category and level will have the chance to be exhibited and auctioned off at a public “First Friday” event on May 6, 2022. Other birdhouses may be displayed around Lincoln during the month of April leading up to May 6. Visit this WEBSITE for more details and entry forms.
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