Words of Wisdom
Hi all,
Hope you are having a great week!
I've heard my octogenarian grandmother say this a few times in her day:
"Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without."
I think it really hits home to the heart of sustainable practices in our district and our communities in regards to conservation of natural resources and promoting best practices to squeeze out every little bit of something that we use. More than anything, this mantra, if you will, also points to utilizing and realizing the full potential of an item or process through upcycling, reusing, and repurposing.
Of course, many of our students lead the charge for our district to become more "resource conscious." From creating a demonstration of a future city plan out of plastic bottles, to repurposing 55 gallon containers to grow a garden, students across our district have researched the possibilities of potential for everyday items.
Check out some of these projects below!
"If you build it, they will come..."
Cities of the future will be made with recycled plastic?!
Ugly sweaters are no longer just for the Holiday Parties...
Every action counts and this is the last month to save energy and earn cash incentives for your school!
Air conditioning our buildings is a top energy waster and really unnecessary.
BUT, going back and forth between heating and cooling is even worse.
Consider a sweater if your building is too cold...
Or better yet, convince your building to reduce the use of air conditioning...
And bring back short sleeve button downs with ties.
Classy.
All of these great efforts add up over time.
More than $500,000 has been calculated in savings for energy conservation and you and your student's efforts are a big contribution!
Buildings account for 38% of the USA's carbon emissions and
air conditioning accounts for nearly 15% of Aurora Public School's utility bills or roughly more than $1.2 million dollars.
$1.2 million dollars for air conditioning, people. C'mon.
We can do better.
wastED 1.0
More than 80% of our district's trash is FOOD WASTE.
New for 2016-2017 is the Composting in the Cafeteria Program and an innovative partnership with We Don't Waste for schools to donate uneaten/unopened food to benefit shelters and food banks.
Interested in becoming a participant in one or both programs? AND badging your students for their efforts and project based learning opportunities?!
Email Julie at jenorth@aps.k12.co.us
See some place based learning programs at Aurora West and how the students took it upon themselves to find a solution:
Fulton ELD students research marine debris... and it's not pretty...
Anti-Litter Campaign Contest Winner Announced!
Fifth grader, Alex S. from Vassar Elementary is the Grand Prize winner and her design will be featured on a reusable bag that you can pick up at locally participating grocery stores around town!
