UNLESS

"But now," says the Once-ler,
"Now that you're here,
the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear.
UNLESS
someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It's not."

Remember last April, when I marched my fat ass in to the preschool director's office and proclaimed myself Eco-Dorkess, Lord of the Green Tips? Yeah, well, as I mentioned then, I was pleasantly surprised when the preschool director accepted my offer to create an Earth Day flyer for the kids to take home. And I believe I also mentioned that she told me that if I had another eco-ideas, to go ahead and lay them on her.

Poor lady. If she only knew what she was getting into.

Cuz lay them on I did. And guess what? Many of them stuck! Yes sirree, in addition to the annual Earth Day flyer, Burbanmom's got her hand in several other preschool activities. Here's what I've managed to get going at the school so far:

1. Crayon Recycling - I put the director in touch with The Crayon Bin and now our preschool is collecting crayon nublets to send in for recycling. Every classroom will have a big jug that the kids can use to collect crayon bits. These bits will be recycled into crayons specially made for kids and adults with difficulties in fine motor skills. (Stroke, Autism, Cerebral Palsy or Arthritis). Wow. Saving crayons from the landfill AND helping others. What a great classroom project!

2. Reusable Cups - Up until now, each and every day the preschool was using 200 disposable paper cups during snack time. I talked to the director about the crazy amount of waste (not only in trash, but in dollars too) and, last I heard, she was going to allow the kids to bring in their own sippy cups for snack time! Woo hoo! I mean, it only makes sense - especially since we have to send in their own snacks anyhow.

3. Recycle Coloring Book - When I went on my tour of the local recycling plant last year, one of the things they gave me in my packet was a little 10-page coloring book that was geared toward 3-8 year olds. It taught kids the importance of recycling, what items can be recycled, and how they can start recycling at home. Anyhow, I called the plant and asked if there was any way I could get enough for the 200 students at my preschool. They said "NO PROBLEM! That's what we do!!" FABULOUS! So I went down and picked up 200 of the suckers and they are now in the hands of all the preschool teachers at the school.

4. The Lorax - And yes, I'm volunteering to go read Dr. Seuss's The Lorax to all the classes. The director suggested that maybe I could do a presentation for each class on how to recycle - and I may - but right now, I think I'll start small by just reading them a wonderful, age-appropriate book about how individuals have the ability to directly affect their environment. Plus, I like reading to the kids. It's always nice to have a captive audience. Because honestly, you keep looking at your watch and that's very annoying.

So there's four activities (five, if you count the flyer) that little ol' me was able to get up and running at the school - with little or no money. And in addition to the great feeling the comes from helping the environment, I also get the warm fuzzy of being part of a community.


Have you thought about adding a little green to your child's school? If so, I'd love to hear your ideas! Please share them at the Yahoo! Group. Seriously. The sound of crickets there has been deafening this past week.

And speaking of school, don't forget to check out the Green Moms Carnival this month where the topic will be - coincidentally enough - "Back to School". It'll be hosted by the loverly and talented Mama Bird at Surely You Nest next Monday, September 8th.