composting
Seventeen fifth graders composted the apple cores from this fall's Apple Days. Each Wednesday they collected the cores from the two composting bags and added the cores to the outdoor compost bin. Students also built a second, larger composting bin for collection. These bins were also visited by the 12 second graders who helped turn the compost.
classroom Recycling on Campus
Earlier this year, students in fifth grade (17 students) realized that here at Barnesville we had a problem with our recycling program. Although the school had designated bins in each class and throughout the halls, students and teachers were not using them correctly. Students first realized there was an issue after we dumped several recycling bins out and started looking through the contents. Inside the bins were things like tissues, food and other non-recyclable materials. The students also observed that the different recycling bins (paper vs. commingled) contained both types of recyclable materials. As a result of that activity we decided that we would educate the school about not only how to properly recycle, but the importance of recycling. Fifth graders researched the topic of recycling (what can be recycled, why we should recycle and some other important facts on recycling). Students also worked in small groups to create posters (using only recycled materials) to present to the school. Fifth graders also made sure that each classroom and office in the school contained a trash can and two recycling bins. One recycling bin was clearly labeled with a blue sticker for clean, dry paper. The other recycling bin was labeled with a green sticker for commingled materials. These two types of bins were brought to the attention of the faculty, staff and students.
The 7th grade students (15 students) spend about 15 minutes once per week, collecting, sorting, and transporting the recyclables from classes in the middle school building. This process is pretty quick now, because everyone knows what types of items go in what bin!
The 7th grade students (15 students) spend about 15 minutes once per week, collecting, sorting, and transporting the recyclables from classes in the middle school building. This process is pretty quick now, because everyone knows what types of items go in what bin!
annual event storage
Every year, Barnesville students celebrate lots of special events like Veterans Day, Halloween, and Beach Week. The decorations for all of these events are gently used and carefully stored so that we don't create more waste and spend money on new decorations every year. Our Student Council (12 middle school students) oversees a lot of the storage and maintenance of the materials - they really like that the lion's share of event budgets can go towards snacks and food!
computer recycling - october 2014
In October of 2014, middle school students took part in a computer recycling effort for the School. Eighth grade students, Patrick R., Seth D., Emily K. and Savanna Z. loaded old, unusable computers from the Science room and attic onto the school bus. Ms. Roos, Assistant Head of School and Lower School Science teacher Jodi Popielaski drove the bus with the students to the local dump (Shady Grove Transfer Station) in Gaithersburg, MD. Upon arrival, students sorted computers into recycle bins for disposal.