In partnership with Lane ESD and annual grant funding from EWEB's Green Power program, the historic middle school challenge event is making a big come back... with many changes. Formerly known as the EWEB Solar Challenge, over the pandemic, the project was rebranded to design and build mini electric vehicles allowing students to take a dive into the world EV as a clean transportation option.
For the past several weeks, middle schoolers from across the county have been industriously building their vehicles while learning some engineering skills. The best of the best from each class will be competing at the regional event on Thursday, June 6th at the Lane County Fairgrounds Auditorium. We are excited to try out our new track system, as well as offering the event on a school day for the first time EVER! It should be a phenomenal day!
The end of school year waste is mind boggling! Schools throw away so much perfectly usable stuff! We often feel guilty, so we may put all kinds of things into the commingle recycling bins hoping somehow they will be recycled. It is complicated!
As you close out and clean up your classrooms and spaces each year, consider sorting items into various donation piles, for yourself; or work together in your building to help keep usable items out of the landfill. It may feel like it takes longer, but believe me, it will feel really good after making the donations.
Sorting includes:
- Storing and Reusing-SHiFT! try to reuse materials and supplies as much as possible! Kids don't care if things are brand new or what theme you did last year! Reuse is one of the biggest resource savers.
- Swap and Share (in staff room or other common area)-free pile awesomeness, your trash others' treasure; anything leftover donated
- Gather single sided paper (ssp) for next year-always use the other side of paper, (unless confidential info) it is great for rough drafts, doodling, scratch paper...having a dedicated ssp bin and teaching students how it works saves so much paper with miscopies, etc.
- MECCA-school supplies, art supplies...more
- St. Vincent dePaul or other donation facility-games, books, toys, lost and found, etc and they take styrofoam packaging!!
- BRING- furniture items, miscellaneous
- Next Step-broken or working electronic items, cords, etc
- Recycling in the commingle bins. See graphic below for latest Sanipac guidelines. **Remember-everything has to be CLEAN to be recycled.
- Be waste wise- Waste diversion tool, Lane County Recycling Guide (Spanish) Lane County Waste Management
- Glenwood Transfer Station-a one stop drop of sorts. Know before You Go
- True Trash-broken/unusable items, unwanted laminated items, glued/glittered/etc things, anything that doesn't fit in the categories above
We can waste less resources and put a stop to "wishful recycling", by understanding what can and can't go into the commingle bins, as well as reusing, exchanging and donating items.
Always remember, no matter what you choose to do, when in doubt, find out or throw it out.
Since the pandemic, nutrition services staff in every kitchen across the district have been working hard to divert their food waste along with custodian super (s)heroes tackling a new waste disposal routine, as well as supporting students in cafeterias. Students have been taking the time and attention to learn this new routine with great care. And, of course without teachers, EA's, administrators...and all the other integral staff that make a difference in a multitude of ways, this would not have been possible. Together we have really made a HUGE difference in the amount of food waste transported from our schools to our local landfill , Short Mountain.
A round of applause for all, please!
WE ARE AT 100% in all kitchens AND CAFETERIAS!
Please include SORT waste system review in back to school cafeteria expectations routines at all levels K-12! Reach out if your building needs support.
The plan is to jump right back in next fall with building routines around what food waste is and why it matters, the SORT personal waste management routine in cafeteria spaces, teacher delivered lessons the first weeks of school and ongoing support from 4J/EEP staff. The big idea is the system begins the first day of school in all cafeterias and students are learning/being reminded of how we use the SORT waste stations at meal times. Building a culture around care, community, and eco habits in our cafeteria spaces creates more enjoyment for all and provides vital life skills that students will take forward with them into their adult lives.
Through staff support, education and routine building, students are learning how and why we do what we do with our food waste. Reusables are coming to many secondary level cafeterias next fall and it will be imperative to provide the SORT education piece to all students (and staff... just sayin'...) for the continued success of the system.
Please plan to take at least one 20-30 minute chunk of time to introduce/review the how and why of the cafeteria waste stations. Schools that have prioritized this, have had much greater results with efficacy in the program.
Here are links to the current education resources (updates coming):
23/24 Elementary 4J Love Food Not Waste Resources
23/24 Secondary 4J Love Food Not Waste Resources
Way to support this food waste SHiFT, people!
It takes a village to reduce carbon emissions in our community!
You can borrow dishware and waste collection bins for your party or event?! Reuse at its finest!
Recycling and garbage bins, as well as, buckets for food scraps and glass bottles are available for events in Lane County. Bins are a helpful tool for collecting empty beverage containers and for diverting food scraps from the landfill!
Many ways to play!
Visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/EventRecycling, email Kelly.Bell@LaneCountyOR.gov or call (541) 682-2059 to reserve bins for your next event.
Handy Recycle Bin Loan Agreement form
See below for the flyer that gives more info.
As you start wrapping your head around school year 24/25, I'd like to remind you the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program is here to support you and your students!
The 4J/EWEB Education Partnership (4J/EEP) is a grant funded program within Eugene School District 4J. About 30 years ago, this phenomenal partnership was formed to support and supplement science education, particularly in the areas of energy and water. The program is focused on Our Changing Planet-Preparing for Our Future (Salmon, Water, Climate, PNW Energy- Awareness, Adaptation/Mitigation, Resilience).
Next fall's offerings:
- Salmon Education- (Oct-Dec) From late October to winter break raise salmon in your classroom with your students and release them into the "wild". This experience is has great science and social studies connections with Tribal History, Shared History and the NGSS standards. (Priority for 3rd/4th grade) If you are new, check in with your building about who participates at your site.
- No Time to Waste (Sept) classroom visits/assemblies/cafeteria waste education-The 5R's of Zero Waste Living, including understanding the value of food and where it comes from, as well as how to dispose of your scraps, is important knowledge to carry forward as humans on planet Earth.
- 7th grade Wind Energy teacher workshop (mid-Oct) Learn how the wind energy unit aligns with your teaching, how the unit works and play with your colleagues while planning implementation in your classroom this year. Project materials are available for check-out. Our program supports on build days, as needed.
- 4J Climate Justice Team for high school students-this team includes representatives from all 4J high schools' climate related clubs and acts as an advisory committee to district initiatives.
- Start a "green" team"! -Interested in starting a "green team" in your building? Need a little help with how to get started? I'm your person! Set up an initial consultation and we will work together to get a team going at your site.
- Check out our website's teacher page for more program offerings.
Reach out with questions. shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
There’s something magical about being outdoors. Fresh air, birds singing, moving along a trail or even just around the block – there’s nothing quite like it. But today, those trails and public spaces are in dire need of help —and not everyone has access to these places that can calm and inspire. National Trails Day is the perfect opportunity to get out there with the people you love, give back to the trails that bring us together, and make sure no one is left out.
Take the pledge to leave trails better than you found them.
Eugene Parks and Trails Maps
World Environment Day is June 5th. This year's theme is #Generation Restoration.
We cannot turn back time, but we can grow forests, revive water sources, and bring back soils. We are the generation that can make peace with land.
5 things to do to celebrate the environment:
1. Do an activity that helps the environment around you.
2. Learn more about the environment and initiatives around you 3. Get outside and experience the nature around you! 4. Share what you learned! 5. Take Action
Summer is often a time to dig in, get cleaning and get rid of unwanted items. As you clean-up and haul things to disposal sites ... such as the ones listed in the Eco Tips for Discard... take extra time to ensure everything is secured and won't blow out of your vehicle or trailer. Items blowing out of vehicles not only create the majority of roadside trash, but can also cause accidents. Properly securing your vehicle's load is quick and easy. It only takes a few minutes and basic supplies.
One Ocean, One Climate, One Future-Together
Celebrating UN World Oceans Day is a great opportunity to grow awareness and understanding about the largest part of our planet. And, a great lead into Plastic Free July.
Bonus resources:
Below are some great resources for teaching around wind energy, any day of the year.
Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities.
Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?
What you can do...oh, this is GOOD!
Take the Plastic Free July Pledge
A cool app to use when doing litter pick-ups : Litterati
Summer in Our City
Staycations are magical...especially when you live in a beautiful place like Eugene, Oregon! Summer is a fun way to see and do things you wouldn't usually get to do during the school year.
Here are some ideas to get you out and about:
Adult Activities guide-so many great classes!!
Love writing? Word Crafters
Step Into Series-poetry, stories, plays and comics in the stairwells in the 10th/Oak Overpark
Lane Events Calendar-"never miss out again"OSU Extension Service-home garden and landscape resources
First Friday at Cultural Museum
Need more ideas?
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4J/EWEB Education Partnership
TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation
Grant Coordinator-EWEB, SPLASH!, Love Food Not Waste
Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533
