HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Earth Day is today, April 22nd, and we hope our schools are able to take time to recognize the importance of protecting our environment and appreciate all of the wonderful experiences and resources provided to us from nature.
We are celebrating by releasing our first ever Annual Sustainability Report! This report gives a snapshot of our program progress and impacts during the 2020 calendar year. Topics covered include waste diversion, utilities & transportation, safe & healthy schools, and school engagement. [Click here to read the full report]
If you are still looking for ideas for a classroom or club activity, check out our [LPS Earth Day Bingo Cards] for plenty of resources.
Help us celebrate Earth Day together by sharing your photos using #LPSearthday or e-mailing them to balbin@lps.org
We are thrilled to share that LPS was able to divert 54% of waste from the landfill through reusing, recycling, and composting during 2020. This is a more thorough report and analysis of waste generated in the district, in comparison with our usual Monthly Environmental Impact Reports.
- 39,234 pounds reused
- 1,239,743 pounds recycled
- 902,860 pounds composted
The Career Academy FFA Chapter recently built brand new raised garden beds for Dawes Middle, Mickle Middle, and Saratoga Elementary. These student leaders helped younger garden club students assemble their new beds in this hands-on after school experience. [Read more] about this amazing partnership and example of student leadership.
The Green School Recognition Program will be coming to a close soon, so be sure to catch up on submitting your activities from the year. All activities from the 2020-21 school year need to be submitted by Monday, May 10th. If you have done any green school projects (gardens, eco club meetings, Earth Day Celebration, sustainability tips, bike to school event, etc.) then you have points and FUNDING waiting for you! [Report activities here]
The Green Classroom Certificate Program offers lessons and training for K-12 educators and school staff which provides them with the knowledge to identify what supports or impedes healthy, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable learning spaces. Park Middle School Sustainability Champion and Media Secretary, Shawn Roberts, completed this program and is now Green Classroom Certified! You can find out more about this program at the Center for Green Schools website.
The 20th Annual Cans4Books is under way! Raise money for your school library AND do something good for the planet by recycling your aluminum cans.
Don’t forget to bring your cans to Green Quest Recycling through April 30th and be sure to mention that you are donating to the LPS Cans4Books drive. Donations made for your school will be used to purchase books from Barnes & Noble for your school library.
Drop Off Location: Green Quest Recycling, 440 J Street, M – F from 7:30 am – 4 pm
Please share this information with the rest of your school community!
School Garden Communications Hub
We have partnered with Community Crops to develop an LPS School Gardens Workspace on a communications tool called Slack. All school garden volunteers (staff, parents, community members) are invited to join this network and be part of the conversation with those supporting outdoor learning spaces across the district. E-mail balbin@lps.org if you would like to be added to the group.
The Lincoln Earth Day Coalition has been working hard to plan safe opportunities for the community to celebrate this year, knowing that their usual in-person event wouldn’t be an option. There will still be several activities on Saturday, April 24th including a bike ride, virtual Climate Action Panel (featuring City of Lincoln, LES, and UNL) and a Family Earth Day Trivia Night. Head to the [Lincoln Earth Day Website] for their schedule, community calendar of events, and resource map for environmental organizations.
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy is hosting a “Nebraska Don’t Waste It!” calendar contest. All Nebraska students grades K-12 are eligible to submit their artwork to be featured in the 2022 calendar. Entries must be sent in by May 31, 2021. For more details and information on the contest visit the [NDEE Calendar Contest website]
Other reminders and resources:
Stay Connected
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