At Three Bridges School in Readington, students believe they can save the world. And they plan to do it through sustainability.
The elementary school has made a conscious effort to follow sustainable practices, teaching students, staff, parents and the community how to “green” their world and reduce their carbon footprint. These efforts earned the school recognition as a Green Ribbon School in 2014, from the U.S. Department of Education.
The school has gone green in almost every way possible. In use are a water bottle filling station for drinking water, rain barrels to collect water, and compost tumblers. The school participated in an energy audit and, based on recommendations, upgraded fixtures and light bulbs, and installed HVAC systems and room lights on motion detectors. The maintenance staff is careful that all trash and recycling is sorted properly.
Students and staff embrace recycling, and remind each other to make good choices when disposing of waste. The Student Leadership group created a video about recycling that has been posted to the school webpage. Efforts have been so successful that bigger recycling containers were needed!
The district hired an Energy Efficiency Coordinator who works with the schools, resulting in data collection about energy usage and a new energy conservation policy. Three Bridges students even put signs on computer monitors and printers, to remind everyone to shut them off when not in use.
The school holds assemblies about saving energy, and a “green” essay contest. A “green” concert featured students singing about recycling, sustainability, and preserving the world. At the concert, students sold reusable shopping bags with the school logo on them. Money raised was used to adopt a tiger.
District curriculum supports the focus on sustainability and responsible green citizenship, and community organizations have helped support efforts. With school, staff and community on board with sustainability, Three Bridges is just getting started.
Information
Contact: Kristen Higgins, principal, [email protected]
Online video: http://vimeo.com/92727492
2014 Green Ribbon Schools award winner