Greetings from the Green Team! Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with a Climate Reality Project presentation by Andrea Robinson – incorporating STEM concepts and environmental awareness.

SMMUSD green team parents and students spoke at last week’s Board of Education meeting to support the implementation of the Sustainability Plan.

SMMUSD, parents look to continue sustainability efforts

Reusable Tableware CheckOut Instructions (click here for printable version)

1. SIGN IN: 

• 6 sets are located in the Room 502 Teachers’ Lounge, in the closet behind the white drape. 
• Click here to sign in to check out or reserve a reusable set. 
• Input the set number (1 to 6) you are checking out.
  (Each contains 30 plates, 30 cups and 24 forks/spoons/knives.)

2. USE: 

• Tell your guests “Please DO NOT throw these away! They are reusable, NOT disposable.” 
• Let your guests know these reusables reduce waste, save money and are better for the earth. 
• After use, scrape off food, dump liquids and place inside container/bag.
• Count 30 plates, 30 cups and 24 forks/spoons/knives. 
• If any items are missing, please look into surrounding trash bins and recover them. 

3. CLEANING: 

• Reusable sets must be taken home and returned the next school day. 
• All used items must be sanitized in hot water in a dishwasher.  
• Dry all washed items before returning to its carrying case. 
• Count 30 plates, 30 cups and 24 forks, 24 spoons, 24 knives. 

4. SIGN OUT: 

• Click here to input the date when the set was returned. 
• If items are missing, please list which are missing under “notes”.  
• Return your clean set to the Teachers’ Lounge closet. 

Questions: greenteam@willrogerspta.com. Thanks for reducing waste and helping this program succeed!  

In order to reduce waste at school events, we’ve outlined some basic guidelines. For instructions, read below or click to download a printable version.

With the goals of eliminating and reducing waste, below are ideas on shrinking our events’ carbon footprints by reducing, reusing, and recycling:

Beverages:

• Instead of individual plastic water bottles or juice boxes/bags, encourage kids to fill up their reusable water bottles at the sink.
• Provide recyclable plastic cups for those without water bottles.

Food: 

• Buy in bulk (ex: goldfish, pretzels, dried fruit) instead of individual, single serving snacks.

• Serve local and organic food when possible.

• Send food home with volunteers, parents, students and teachers.

Foodware: 

• Use reusable plates, cups, and utensils.

• If not available, use recyclable plastic (not plastic-coated paper products). 

Waste: set up for success by creating a “waste sorting station:  

• “Organic” bin: food waste (except liquids — empty these into the sink) can be emptied into the green Organics bin in the cafeteria or the green dumpster in the parking lot.

• “Recycle” bag: rinsed, emptied aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, clean paper, plastic cups, tin cans, yogurt and applesauce cups can be emptied into the blue Recycling bin in the cafeteria or the blue recycling dumpster in the parking lot. 

Reusable decorations & party favors:

• Natural decorations (flowers, plants, colorful fruits, stones, bare branches decorated with ornaments or ribbon, etc.) that are biodegradable or reusable.  

• Color-themed designs cut from construction paper. These can be saved for next year or recycled.

• Party favors can be snacks without plastic wrapping.

WE WON!! Bravo to the WRLC Green Team on “Best Campaign Video” award at Rise’s inaugural Impact-a-thon! Thank you to @GradesofGreen for being a great partner in 2018/19. Watch our winning video: https://vimeo.com/326884402 (pwd: greenteam2019). @SMMUSD @santamonicacity @BeGreenSMMUSD

Will Rogers Learning Community Green Team 2019 from Will Rogers Learning Community on Vimeo.