Stephanie Schleicher,  Chairperson, WLS KOG   

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In celebration of Earth Day, 2010, WLS Keen on Green encourages families to reflect on the meaning of this important event and determine if there are additional ways to embrace the principles behind Earth Day.

Earth Day originated forty years ago when U.S. senator Gaylord Nelson recognized the need for a grassroots movement to protect the environment.  Oil spills, raw sewage dumping, pesticide contamination, toxic landfills, loss of wilderness were some of issues brought forth to address the increasing concern and awareness of environmental hazards.

In celebration of Earth Day, Heal the Bay will present next week at WLS.  The appointed guest speaker will educate and share information about current environmental issues regarding our oceans and ecosystem.  Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy and clean. They use research, education, community action and advocacy to pursue their mission.

Currently, there are many concerns with climate change, air and water quality, pollution, and public health related to industrial and human waste.  Schools are increasingly incorporating “Green Programs” to educate, reduce waste, and recycle.

WLS Keen on Green strives to maintain environmental stewardship by recycling, reusing, and reducing waste.  The program includes recycling plastic and aluminum beverage containers, batteries, used cell phones, and paper.  Students are encouraged to reuse their personal beverage bottles weekly instead of generating more trash.  In addition, our KinderGarden has added beauty and learning opportunities for sustainable native plants as well as grow vegetables and fruit that will be later donated to the LA Food Pantry.  Volunteers are needed to expand this program so if you are interested, please contact Stephanie Schleicher, Chairperson, KOG.

Simple steps you and your family can take to reduce waste and energy usage regardless of your political position or level of environmental concern.  Perhaps you want to learn more about how to improve being a steward of the environment, the principles behind environmental conservation, how to reduce energy consumption and clutter, or more about current legislation, political activism, and volunteer opportunities. 

Explore these websites for more information regarding the environment, legislation, ways you can continue to support and educate your family.

http://www.ladwp.com/library/statichtml/homepage_greenla.html

http://lacity.org/ForResidents/EnvironmentRecycling/index.htm

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/

http://www.epa.gov

http://www.earthjustice.org/

http://earth911.com

http://healthebay.org

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Congratulations to 4A our Keen On Green First Place Winners for May and the Entire School Year!  4A students recycled and reused to accrue an amazing 8,896 points for their class.  Second place goes to 1A (6,311 points), and third place to 4B (4,753 points)!  However, together our WLS Jr K-5^th Grades collected 42,676 points – close to 6,000 gain from the last school year.  We are so proud of our students for all their recycling and effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Special thanks to teachers, especially Ms. Anderson, Mrs. Nelson, and Mrs. Merrill, for encouraging the students and consistently submitting the tally sheets to the office.  Together we accomplished some outstanding goals this year! 

The grand prize of a WEEK OF FREE DRESS goes to 4A but you should all be proud of your work to support the WLS Keen on Green Program! 

Many thanks to the dedicated group of parent volunteers who took turns collecting and redeeming the recylables weekly: Elena Chizov, Andrea and Brad Goodman, Glen Kacena, Steve Lee, Susan Lockhart, Steve Rasmussen, and Christina Esprabens.  The recycling program raised close to $1,500 for the year!   

Please continue to drop off your used batteries, cell phones, aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, and ink cartridges at the school.  Thank you WLS families and teachers –Awesome Job!   Stephanie Schleicher, KOG Chairperson

 

Cell Phone Drive

After the holidays….How many of you have new cell phones to replace your old cell phones?  WLS KOG is sponsoring a cell phone collection drive to properly dispose of unused cell phones and raise additional funds for our school projects.  Many of us have several old cell phones around the house that should not go in the trash!  Instead, it is recommended that you remove your SIM card or clear your personal records using the following website prior to donation:
 

http://www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/

Bring your inactive cell phone to the school office and deposit it in the labeled receptacles.  There are additional receptacles for accessories that we will dispose of at:
 

http://www.lacity.org/san/solid_resources/pdfs/safe-htp-flyer_english.pdf

Recycling your cell phone both ensures that your e-waste is properly disposed of and earns additional funds for our school.

Thank you for your support in WLS Keen on Green!

Stephanie Schleicher, Chairperson, KOG

REDUCE -REUSE-RECYCLE

Bring your aluminum cans and plastic bottles to school for the next two Fridays. And then ...continue to save them during the Christmas vacation to help us have a record turn-in  in January. 

Remember--using your WLS water bottle count for your class totals.  By using a WLS water bottle every day you are not using a plastic bottle and that helps our environment!

We will be placing and order for WLS bottles in 2010 so watch for the order form.

Our white "recyclables only" bin is another way WLS is recycling.

The WLS "I'm in" to being green PLEDGE

●  I'm in because I care about our planet and its ability to sustain life for future
    generations.

●  I'm in to support clean energy and green alternatives.

●  I'm in to practice ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

●  I'm in to visualize positive change for our planet and our communities, and to
     share that vision with everyone I meet

●  I'm in to lead global community by example through my own thoughtful actions.

●  I'm in to being a good steward of God, and to love and care for all His creations.

YES, I'm In    to print pledge click here

Adapted from the GreenUnitedStates.com pledge
 

Keen On Green Program

WLS is committed to reducing school paper usage, phasing in electronic communication through our "E-Envelope" on our wlcs.org website.  In addition, our campus recycling program currently accepts plastic, aluminum, batteries, and ink cartridges.  We are working toward expanding the program include a cardboard and paper products as well.

The support energy conservation, families receive hours for carpooling, walking, or riding their bikes to school.

To encourage "green scholarship," information is distributed regularly for: community recycling centers for households waste, water and energy efficiency tips, green consumption, and ideas to embrace the preservation of natural resources and sustainable energy resources.

     10 Green Tips

     1. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).
     2. Turn down the hot water heater to 130º F.
     3. Turn down the thermostat 3º in the winter and up 3º in the summer.
     4. Purchase Energy Star™ labeled appliances.
     5. Wash and rinse laundry and dishes in cold water.
     6. Check your car tires for proper air pressure to maximize mileage.
     7. Buy locally produced meats, and produce.
     8. Drink water from reusable glassware whenever possible.
     9. Walk, bike, and carpool to school and work.
   10. Reduce unwanted junk mail by getting off mailing lists.
    

    To print this information click on this link  Keen On Green Brochure

    Thank you for your continued efforts to make WLS a more responsible, innovative, and contributing school and community.  


    The WLS Green Team