GreenNotes
JULY 2015  
From our Executive Director

Gearing up for a Green(er) School Year

 

It's mid-July, and as sunny summer days stretch on, teachers, principals, facilities managers, business officers and others involved in K-12 schools are already looking ahead to fall.


 

The school year may start after Labor Day in most communities, but the planning starts long before the last gasp of summer. This month is the starting gate, as we all begin to strategize how to make the 2015-16 school year the best yet.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Reaping the Benefits of Farm to School

Farm to school programs are proving to be successful in encouraging children to eat more fruits and vegetables.  However, these programs are demonstrating additional benefits for the next generation of healthy eaters. Read the full story.

 
Photo courtesy of Albemarle County Public Schools

Going Green in Appalachia

More and more schools in the Appalachian region are adopting green practices.  Read on about how several schools are using solar power to promote energy efficiency and classroom learning.

Living Schoolyards Month 2015 Activity Guide

This year's Living Schoolyards Month celebrations may be over, but you can still download the activity guide from Green Schoolyards America's website.  The guide includes 40+ activities for all grade levels and covers a range of themes such as schoolyard agriculture, energy and climate, health, and watershed stewardship.  Check out the guide here: 
Do you know a creative youngster?

Young change-makers can now apply for a Summer of Creativity Grant from Disney to help make their community greener, safer, smarter, healthier, cleaner, or fairer.  Winners receive a $500 grant to help make a lasting, positive change in the world. The goal is to recognize young change-makers, and support them on their mission to help others. The deadline to apply is August 10.
Photo Courtesy of Miranda Pedersen/ Daily News
Summer SOS for School Gardens

School's out for summer but who's tending to your school garden? Luckily, there are a lot of green-thumbed folks who look out for school green spaces during vacation time. Check out this great story from Bowling Green.
Composting? We Can Dig It!

One of our GSNN partners is Worm Watcher, a fun organization dedicated to getting folks into composting - literally and figuratively. They've got wonderful indoor composting kits that allow kids to see what really goes on with waste once it's tossed. Perfect for the classroom, these kits make learning fun!
Shopping for books? School supplies? Now, your shopping can directly support GSNN's work with and for green schools! AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Green Schools National Network every time you shop, at no cost to you. Simply visit  AmazonSmile, select Green Schools National Network as your non-profit of choice, and each time you shop, Amazon will automatically donate .5% of your purchase to GSNN. 
Amazon will remember your selection so that every eligible purchase you make will result in a donation to GSNN.

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