Greetings to you on this autumn day.

 

As the leaves are turning color and we’re losing our green backdrop…

 

I’d like to take a minute to share a few of our “green” efforts here in Coventry Public Schools.  Our students learn from their families, their schools, and their community the importance of caring for our surroundings and planet.  They learn much more than the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” mantra that most of us attempt to implement.  The complex green efforts at Coventry Schools are much more significant than what is found in our science classes (although we are proud of what is taught in our science classes!).  

 

It’s just not that simple. 

 

These students need higher order thinking skills to more clearly see how personal habits and commercial decision making impact the environment.  At every turn, we are helping our students understand… and their research in turn is helping us understand…the much larger impact of environmental issues.  From our Earth Club at Coventry High School, to the student community group C.L.E.A.N. (Coventry Lake Environmental Action Network), to our primary students who study materials’ conservation and animal preservation, Coventry young people are developing into wise students who will ultimately be the decision makers regarding our future environments.

 

In addition, our staff works with our students to expand the integration of green efforts out of the classrooms and into the “real world.”  The student collaboration with staff was essential in the development of our reuse and recycle efforts in Food Services.  The custodians, implementing new green facility maintenance procedures, keep our staff informed and knowledgeable, such that students see real world “greening” in action.  The systemic reduction of paper use and the use of recycling bins alone is significant.  In addition, our expanding green programs and practices have been an important cost savings.

 

Our beautiful community, with its hiking trails, Farmers’ Market, and Lake Wangumbaug is the perfect “incubator” for the advanced study of human behaviors that effect the environment.  Of course, students all over the country in urban centers and suburban rings are studying and better understanding the complex issues.  However, here in Coventry, the sheer beauty of our environment, when contrasted to other areas, gives us motivation to continue and grow our green efforts and understandings.

 

Enjoy the autumn colors and think green.

 

Most respectfully,

 

Donna