Highland Park Austin Texas Greenprint

By:

Cornerstone:  ECO-CAMPUS       Category: Recycling

We will promote recycling awareness with the following activities:

Send out information via the weekly electronic newsletter (for parents) and Monday Morning Announcements (for students) and create posters to encourage the use of recycling bins at school.

Set up recycling bins for 5 recycling programs through Terracycle (Toms of Maine toothpaste, drink pouches, Beauty & Personal Care items, candy wrappers, Elmer’s glue),  as well as battery recycling through the City of Austin.

Offer electronic waste pick up at the school for parents and staff to recycle e-waste such as computers, keyboards, monitors, cell phones.

Sponsor a special styrofoam recycling week which we will advertise several months in advance to remind people to start saving their styrofoam.

Provide recycling at after-school events  (like Fall Fitness Festival, Halloween HOOT, etc)

The purpose of these activities is to reduce waste and to promote recycling both at school and home.

Students, staff, parents, and the PTA will all be involved in Highland Park recycling.

We will post photos of our recycle bins and recycling drives, and upload copies of our electronic newsletter with Green Tips

No budget will be necessary for this project.

Styrofoam Recycle drive will occur Dec 13 2012 & Spring 2013.

 

Cornerstone:  ECO-CAMPUS       Category: Energy

Our school currently has fixtures for tube fluorescent lights.  As these bulbs stop working, we will replace them with LED lights.

LED light is more natural and LED also requires less energy.

Budget:  not currently known, but sponsorship & assistance from a local corporation that makes parts for LED lights will be solicited as well.

 

Cornerstone: NATURE ADVENTURE         Category: Exploration and Play

We will restore the Perry Park interpretive nature trails by clearing brush, putting down more wood chips, marking invasive species for removal, planting native plants.

The purpose of the activity is to create an outdoor, educational, green space where students can learn about plants and nature.

Highland Park students and parent volunteers, and the PTA will all take part in the restoration project. 

We will photograph the area before and after the restoration and video the completed project to give a better overview of the restored outdoor facility.

The budget will be $100 for plants and supplies.

Trail maintenance will begin with a Service Project on Nov 10, 2012 -- in conjunction with the Austin Parks Dept.

 

Cornerstone: HEALTH & FITNESS               Category: Fitness & Physical Education

Scotties Fall Fitness Festival (2nd annual)

The purpose of the activity is to promote increased physical activity and also to raise awareness of Diabetes.

We will encourage students to participate in the Fall Fitness Festival by sending home flyers and posting signs around school.

Highland Park students, parents, and the PTA will be involved in this event.

We will video participants at the Fall Fitness Festival.

The budget will be $30 for flyers.  T-shirts and water will be donated.

Fall Fitness Festival occurred on October 7, 2012.

 

Cornerstone: HEALTH & FITNESS               Category: Fitness & Physical Education

Marathon Kids

Our students (Kinder - 5th grade) have the "run the track" (walk or run 1/4 mile) on a daily basis.

In addition to scheduled PE class, and daily recess time, Physical activity like running (versus just playing on the playground) builds muscle and stamina.

Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade and 4th grade all participate in pre-lunch recess.

This activity is recorded on our school master schedule and will be photographed.

There is no budget required for this activity.

Running the track occurs throughout the school year, Aug. 2012 – June 2013, weather and ozone status permitting.

 

Cornerstone: NATURAL CLASSROOMS   Category: Stewardship

Highland Park Earth Week Celebration

We will promote Earth friendly activities throughout the week such as:

Display reminders in the cafeteria about ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Promote a Bike & Walk To School day to reduce use of fossil fuels

Encourage each class to adopt an earth week project. Examples include school grounds clean up, plant a tree, learn how to make recycled paper, make bird houses, or a lesson plan covering The Lorax.

The purpose of the activity is to empower students to become environmental stewards within the context of their own lives.

Highland Park students, parents, staff, and the PTA will be involved in this event.

We will photograph/video weekly events and class projects.

The budget will be $10 for paper and supplies to promote the event.

Earth Week will occur April 15-19, 2013.   

 

Cornerstone: NATURAL CLASSROOMS   Category: Stewardship

Earth Friendly Announcements (Green Tips)

Earth friendly tips and facts will be read as part of the morning announcements.

The purpose of the announcements is to encourage students and faculty to be earth friendly by relaying tips and facts about recycling, water conservation, and energy use.

All students and staff members will watch the morning announcements.

The activity will be recorded through photographs and documenting announcements read.

There will be no budget for this activity.

The announcements will begin October 2012, and will continue throughout the school year.