Summit School Green Teams Promote Personal and Planet Health

Turn off those car engines…

Or, better yet, leave the cars at home and walk.

That’s the message several of the Summit School Green Teams promoted this past school year. Washington, Lincoln-Hubbard, Franklin, Brayton and Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle Schools all engaged in walk-to-school or anti-idling campaigns this year. Some even promoted both. Citing health and the environment, the teams came up with creative, fun and effective methods for encouraging walking and discouraging idling cars pumping exhaust into the air around the schools.

Both Washington School’s and Lincoln-Hubbard School’s walk-to-school programs far exceeded expectations. Washington walkers had a goal of walking 1,500 miles in 10 weeks; they reached that goal in just four weeks, but kept on going and accumulated a total of 4,600 miles. At Lincoln-Hubbard School, 350 children participated in their challenge. Trophies and special events added spice to the recipe for success. Lincoln-Hubbard School teachers passed around a very large stuffed lion among the high-scoring classrooms. In appreciation for a donation made to celebrate the successful “Washington Walks” program, staff from the Raptor Trust presented a program on owls (the school mascot), which starred a live owl.

 Continuing the theme of personal and planet health, several schools’ green teams worked to discourage idling cars, especially around school grounds. They emphasized that exhaust contributes to childhood asthma and respiratory problems, costs money in wasted gas, and is against the law. With the help of their PTAs and PTOs, they were able to purchase anti-idling signage for the streets around the schools. In some cases, the students contributed to the effort. Mary Bruns’ Franklin School art classes produced a beautiful anti-idling mural (see accompanying photo).

School Green Teams also developed and implemented other eco-friendly projects. The Brayton School crew held a paperless day, began recycling their cardboard lunch trays, and is working on an ambitious outdoor Centennial Learning Garden. The middle school team ran two book and video game swaps. Franklin School volunteers sold reusable bottles and lunch-packing items. The Washington School team put in place a plastic bag recycling program. On an ongoing basis, high school students run the seasonal Summit Free Market at the Transfer Station, and had a swap of their own at the high school this spring.

 With their commitment to children’s health and to a healthy planet, school students, staff and volunteers lead the way. Congratulations to the school Green Teams for a highly successful school year, and for being role models for the rest of us. We’re looking forward to another great year next year.

Happy Summer!