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Green eNews November 2014: Our New Look, Food to Flowers, and More
Published on Nov 17, 2014 13:22
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Dear Schools & Community,
Hello! We’re excited to bring you the monthly green e-news via a new format for the first time! We hope you will opt to continue to receive our newsletter out of the school department’s Office for Sustainability – but you now have the option to “opt out” if you so choose. The newsletter will be sent once per month.
In partnership with our Department of Public Works, we have expanded our cafeteria composting program “Food to Flowers!” We are proud and grateful for the hard work of our students, staff, and custodians at the Kennedy Longfellow School/Putnam Avenue Upper School, our latest addition to the program! Keep up the great work K-LO and PAUS!
For more online resources, teaching tools, curriculum links, news, and updates on the Cambridge Green Schools Initiative (CGSI) check out our website.
Thank you for all you do to keep our schools sustainable...and our planet healthy!
-Kristen
Nature & Outdoors
Want to volunteer at Fresh Pond for the 1st Annual Fresh Pond Great Gobble Give Back?
Saturday, November 22 | 1 - 3:30PM | Meet at Ranger Station Do you drink Cambridge tap? Do you run, walk, bike, yoga, or play at Fresh Pond? Show thanks for the clean drinking water and beautiful recreational space Fresh Pond provides – lend a hand! Learn more >>
Do you want to take a class trip to Alewife Reservation? Friends of Alewife Reservation Walks – Wildlife walks sponsored by FAR impart the history and background to the DCR’s Alewife Reservation, a rare urban wild in Cambridge. The walks are led by a professional wildlife assessor, Dave Brown. Tours last two hours. Learn more >>
Are you someone who wants to help care for trees? The Junior Forester Program is open to all local youth ages 5-13 years that are interested in adopting trees in their neighborhood. Learn more about our Jr. Forester program. The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Cambridge with its Tree City USA award for the 18th consecutive year. Way to go Cambridge. City of Cambridge partner National Arbor Day Foundation: Help Replant Trees.
Transportation
Are you interested in commuting via the EZRide Shuttle? The EZRide Shuttle is free for all City of Cambridge employees! EZRide connects North Station to Lechmere, Kendall Square, and Cambridgeport. Stops along the way include the Galleria and University Park. The shuttle operates Monday-Friday, except holidays, with buses every 8-10 minutes. There is limited mid-day shuttle service as well. EZRide is a service of the Charles River Transportation Management Association (CRTMA). Email us to get your free sticker. Further information: 617-8EZ-info 617-517-9740.
Environmental Curriculum
Would you like a presentation on environment, recycling, or composting for your class? If so, please contact Meryl Brott and she would be happy to work with your class and give a presentation!
Want more resources for teaching? Cambridge Green Schools Initiative website provides education videos, links to online teaching tools, and other resources!
Energy:
Want to help reduce energy use this winter?
With winter fast approaching, and heating and electric use increasing, there are several steps we can take to reduce energy use inside:
- Turn off all non-essential lights when a room is not in use.
- Open window blinds for additional light/heat.
- Use stairs instead of elevators.
- Turn off Smartboards when not in use.
- Unplug appliances when not in use.
- Use power strips for electronic plug-ins.
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FREEBIES
Need 3-ring binders?
Where: The Recycling Center, 147 Hampshire St
Hours: Tu/Th | 4-7:30PM, Sat | 9AM-4PM)
Contact: Email Meryl at DPW for binders to be dropped off at your school.
Need materials for classroom or art projects?
"Extras for Creative Reuse” is a non-profit supplying teachers with free & inexpensive classroom supplies. Visit them at: 20 Wheeler St, Lynn, MA, 01901 or online.
TIP OF THE MONTH
This month’s tip-of-the-month is from a child: “If your clothes or pajamas are not dirty then put them on a hook and wear them again so that you do not wash clean clothes.” (Does your classroom or student have a tip to submit? If so, email us.)
RECYCLING & COMPOSTING
Want to see how much your school has composted or recycled? Visit our recycling and composting reports page on the Department of Public Works website for more information.
WATER
Do you and your students drink enough water? In partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, our schools are working to increase student and staff use of re-usable water bottles, bubblers, and tap water. Water is a great drink choice for kids. It is calorie-free and low cost from your nearest tap! Water is also the best drink to keep kids hydrated. Make sure that water is available all day. Kids should drink plenty of water when they are playing and being active. It is more sustainable to bring in a re-usable water bottle and fill up at the tap/bubbler than to buy and throw away plastic water bottles.
GO GREEN CHALLENGE
Want to help us improve? Elementary and Upper School teachers, please help us learn about the impact of the Go Green Challenge we ran in the schools last spring, and improve it for this coming year. We’d appreciate hearing from you even if you didn’t participate last year. Thank you very much your help! Take the Survey.
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Kristen von Hoffmann
Sustainability Manager
Email Kristen
Cambridge Green Schools Initiative
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