Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Recycle your E-Waste
Laderal Elementary will hold an E-Waste event on May 16. Read more...
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Congratulations!
Red Hill Elementary RECYCLED GIRAFFE SCHOOL PROJECT
Our recycled giraffe not only won a blue ribbon for 1st place, but went on to become a Division Winner (gold ribbon and trophy)! It was on display at the Youth Expo/OC Fairgrounds this past weekend in their “Best of Show” area and there were over 6,000 entries!
It is currently on display at The Lost Bean (near Tustin Brewery) this Monday through Friday for Earth Week (4/20-24).
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Tustin Memorial Academy receives award:
Tustin Memorial Academy (TMA) recently celebrated receiving the California Service-Learning Leader Schools Award. Tustin Memorial Academy was one of 11 California Schools selected for this award based on the ability of teachers and parents working together to help their students meet their Academic Performance Index growth targets while teaching children about civic responsibilities. TMA had an opportunity to share many of their special projects and lessons through a written application process and an on-site validation visit. During the visitation, Bette Wineberg observed the Outdoor Learning Center with children and parents watering the seedlings for the "Seed to Harvest" program for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Mrs. Mulligan's second grade students participated in a gingerbread assembly line as children learned the importance of working collaboratively.

TMA was extremely honored to receive this special award. Principal Cindy Agopian and parents Monique Nelsen and Marci Maietta-Wineberg attended the February 10th California Service-Learning luncheon where TMA was recognized by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.

A plaque and a flag is proudly displayed at the school to remind students that they can make a difference in their school and the community.

Congrats!
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Recycle!
Benson is holding a Recycle Fest on May 16. Check out the flyer for more info.
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Monday, April 20, 2009

Earth Day!
Here's how Ladera Elementary is celebrating (send us your school's updates - info@tpsf.net- and we'll post them here):
  • Ladera's second annual "Power Down and Turn off the TV Week" is meant to encourage students and their families to read, exercise or spend quality time with family rather than watching television.
  • On Wednesday at lunch recess Ladera's "Green Team" will lead all students in a Campus clean up.
  • Ladera will announce it's first ewaste drive. This is a great way to get rid of all your old electronic equipment and appliances, large or small, while benefiting our school. Look for information in your April 24th Friday Folder.
  • The Garden Committee will be on hand Wednesday to display Ladera's organic garden and give instruction on non-toxic weeding and planting.
  • And of course, Earth Day is also Walk to School Wednesday!
  • Ladera's Green Team has been cited in various national and local publications. Please visit the Ladera website's Press Clippings page at http://www.laderaleopards.org/press-clippings/ to review the articles.
  • Printer cartridges, cell phones, and plastic bottles are being recycled to benefit Ladera's 2009 5th grade activities. Visit www.tustin.k12.ca.us/ladera/documents/recycle.pdf for more information.
  • This year will mark the beginning of "The Green Generation Campaign" which will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. Please visit www.earthday.net/earthday2009 for more information.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

E-Waste Collection
This Saturday, April 18, there is an E-Waste collection event at Nelson Elementary. They'll take anything with a plug from 9-3:00pm! See the event flyer.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

More tips for Environmental Education Week!

Be Water Wise Miami
EE Week 2009 Signature Event: Be Water Wise MiamiEE Week kicked off its 2009 signature event - Be Water Wise Miami - with a launch event at Jose de Diego Middle School in Miami, Fla. this morning. The event began with a press conference with City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. Students then demonstrated the Be Water Wise School Water Measurement Activity for the mayor, the superintendent and the press. Later in the month, teachers and custodians from 13 other Miami schools will be trained in using the School Water Measurement Activity with their students, and students will present the findings to city and county officials. Learn more

Water Tip of the Day
Want a glass of cold water? Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of running the tap for cold water.Source: H2O Conserve
For a list of of water facts in English and Spanish, visit our Be Water Wise! Facts page.

EE Week Partner Spotlight
Imagine School at Avondale - Avondale, Ariz. Students at Avondale recently received a $1,000 grant through Project WET and the University of Arizona Extension to conduct a school water audit. After evaluating the school's water use, students found areas where improvements could be made. They launched a campaign to educate students and parents about water saving techniques with a focus on four key areas of the school: restrooms, drinking fountains, the cafeteria and landscaping. Imagine School at Avondale will host a culminating water celebration on Earth Day, April 22. The celebration will feature a Fix-a-Leak display demonstrating how much water is wasted each week due to leaky toilets, sinks and showers and mini lessons on sustainable water use for teachers to implement in the classroom.

Access the EE Week School Water Audit for resources to conduct a water audit with your students.

Featured Resources
EE Week Water Bees
Together with our partners at The Groundwater Foundation and WET in the City, EE Week has developed two Water Bees in support of the 2009 theme: Be Water Wise! Similar to EE Week's popular Nature Bees, the Water Bees are grade-appropriate, 10-question, multiple choice online quizzes to test students' knowledge of the water cycle, water pollution and water conservation. Access the Water Bee for Grades K-4 or the Water Bee for Grades 5-8.

Earth Gauge Kids Earth Gauge Kids is a website designed for fifth through eighth grade students that focuses on a different weather-environment theme each month. The April theme for Earth Gauge Kids is Be Water Wise! Kids will find an interactive quiz, activity ideas, fun facts and links to "cool tools" and online games related to water. If you would like to highlight Earth Gauge Kids on your organization's website, access the widget code that will automatically update each month when a new theme is launched. Stay tuned for future themes at www.earthgauge.net/kids.

For these and other Be Water Wise! resources, visit us on the web.
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