Monday, September 1, 2008

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.

13 comments:

Robj98168 said...

You need to take a video of you reading the lorax and post it on your blog.

Green Bean said...

Good for you! And them! We can have such a huge impact when we green our kids schools. My oldest just started kinder and I had big plans for his school. Until I walked in and it looked like they had thought of everything. Compost bins set up for lunch. Recycling bins located around the campus. Signs on how to make a waste free lunch in the aftercare room. Yeah! But there's always more to do and a friend there started a green team of which I will be a happy part. Thanks for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

Good for you! You've started a revolution at preschool!

Anonymous said...

At least the crickets are thriving...

I like the crayon idea, and it's one I've been pondering since I first heard of it. Time to stop pondering and start DOING.

Anonymous said...

I don't know how I could have possibly been looking at my watch because Arya keeps chewing on the plastic band (yeah, I bought it before going plastic-free) so I don't wear it in the house anymore. So there. And I wasn't looking at the clock on the wall either because it needs a new battery and I'm not tall enough to reach it and Michael keeps forgetting. Well, there is the little clock in the corner of my computer screen, but I always forget that it's there.

Anyway, I love your posts and I would love to hear you read and I would not get bored. How about uploading a recording of you reading the Lorax? That would be awesome!

ib mommy said...

I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees......

My oldest is in the process of working with her Principal to get a recycling program going at her high school. Last year she got the Ecology club to stay after school every week to collect 2000 newspapers the school provides for each student on Wednesday and we took them to the recycling bin. Since her Principal is on board she is now going to the school board to present a plan for every high school (there are 5) in our city to recycle.

The middle child is chartering an Ecology club at her school this year (the school was new last year). She is hoping to implement some environmental projects for her school as well.

So, I'm not the Lorax...... but my kids are speaking for the trees.

Anonymous said...

I love the crayon recycling! My big guy is just starting kindergarten. This will be my first run through public school as a parent. I have no idea what to expect on the green end of things. Judging from the school supply list...not much. I am starting by doing my best with his personal supplies....repurposed backpack, eco-lunch containers and food, etc. Once the year gets rolling I will see about going in to create personal shopping bags with the kids or something of that nature. I will def. look into the crayon idea too.

Anonymous said...

Hi 'Burban Mom,

I recently discovered your site and love it - especially all your efforts to cut down on your own carbon footprint.

I don't know if you would be interested or not, but Walter Reeves, host of the Georgia Gardener on Georgia Public Television, is hosting three thirty-second videos teaching viewers how to maintain healthy landscapes, save water (and money!) and save time this fall with efficient watering, mulching and creative water collection.

I would be happy to send you links to the videos so that you can embed them on your blog if you would be interested in viewing them.

Best,
Sarah Woodward
sarah.woodward@mslpr.com
404-870-6870

Anonymous said...

Bur-ban-MOM! Bur-ban-MOM! Bur-ban-MOM!
I wonder if there is an opening for you in local government?
That's how it starts, you know...
or so I've heard.

Oh! Look at the time...gotta run...

Robj98168 said...

way to start a revolution! All we need some more revolting kids!

Chile said...

You go, Girl!

Lulu said...

I wonder if you'd be willing to share the flyer of green tips?? :)

Burbanmom said...

Hey Lulu, you can get a copy of the flyer hereor by emailing me at emcoe AT verizon DOT net.