Administrators & Teachers Learn How to "GO GREEN"

This summer administrators and teachers from Elmwood Park school district attended a 3-day workshop where we learned tips for improving air quality in school, reducing waste, recirculating natural resources, and decreasing our energy consuption. It was an exciting three days and we thought of many ideas to help our schools GO GREEN!

On the first day of the workshop, we went to S.C.A.R.C.E. in Glen Ellyn. S.C.A.R.C.E. stands for School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education. We learned about worm compost bins and how they are used. We were able to see a worm egg sac, had the opportunity to see what the worms are fed, and talked about how worm compost bins might be used in a school. We also learned about pollution and how it effects the land and water. S.C.A.R.C.E. had a really cool bike that produces energy when you pedal it. Administrators and teachers were able to see and feel first hand how new energy efficient lightbulbs use less energy.

The second day we visited Groot Industries. This is where your garbage goes to be separated and recycled! We were able to see how the recyclables are seperated and learned what items can be recycled. Then we visited a plastic manufactoring warehouse that uses recycled plastics. It was really interesting to see all the different products that can be made with recycled plastics.

The third day we visited the Chicago Center for Green Technology. We had the opportunity to see and touch native prairie plants in the gardens. The center also had models of green roofs and we learned how these roofs make buildings more energy efficient. We also learned about products and tips to help make your house or building "greener". They let us up on the roof of the Chicago Center of Green Technology and we were amazed to see the "green roof" garden and many solar panels. The green roof helps the building stay cool during the summer and warm during the winter. It also helps absorb storm water and cleans the air. Our last stop was the Garfield Park Observatory. This beautiful place is full of gorgeous flowers, exotic plants, and a variety of natural insects in the outdoor gardens. In the middle of the city we saw honeybees, grasshoppers, different types of butterflies, and other insects. We were able to look inside their worm bins and see composting in action.

The administrators and teachers of Elmwood Park who attended this three-day workshop discussed ways to make our schools and community more environmentally friendly. We are committed to conserving natural resources, protecting the air quality of all students and citizens, and educating others about this vital effort. Please check back to see the "green" transformation of our school district in the future.