School District: Bellevue
School Location: Bellevue
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: September 2009

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2010
Level Two of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in April 2011
Level Three of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in April 2012

Waste reduction and recycling (level one)

• Ardmore created a Green Team comprised of staff, students, administration and interested parent volunteers.
• The City of Bellevue partnered with the Green Schools Program to assist Bellevue schools with recycling improvements.
• In 2009 and 2010, thanks to new lunchroom conservation practices and a school-wide emphasis on improving recycling and reuse habits, the school reached a recycling rate of 57 percent.
• Ardmore increased lunchroom recycling by 32 percent by recycling approximately 50 gallons of milk cartons, plastic bottles and aluminum cans each day. By recycling these materials and stacking their lunch trays, lunchroom garbage volume was reduced by 80 percent or 390 gallons per day.
• The PTA worked with the Green Team to help implement recycling in the lunchroom. Parents also worked on limiting book order handouts and catalogs to reduce paper use.
• Students made classroom presentations about recycling and waste reduction.
• The student council created posters about recycling.
• Students placed stickers on recycling containers listing what can and can’t be recycled.
• During library time, the school librarian taught students about reuse and recycling.
• The district’s resource conservation manager made a presentation about recycling at a PTA meeting.
• In 2010-11, with assistance from City of Bellevue, students began collecting cafeteria food scraps and food soiled paper to be sent to Cedar Grove Composting facility.
• A student and parent group monitored cafeteria stations and conducted an outreach campaign.
• The school librarian made presentations about waste reduction and recycling to all of her classes and three third grade classes participated in “healthy habitat” workshops.
• During 2010-11, the school reduced garbage volume from 16 cubic yards to 8 cubic yards per week and its recycling rate rose to 62 percent.
• During 2011-12, the school increased its recycling rate to 64 percent by reducing waste and by collecting recyclable and compostable materials.
• Four classes participated in the City of Bellevue’s “Rethink and Reuse” workshop.
• The entire school participated in the City of Bellevue’s resource conservation assembly.
• The student green team wears gloves and aprons to assist with recycling in the cafeteria at lunch.
• The student Green Team made recycling posters and placed them throughout the lunchroom.
• The lead green team teacher distributed stickers to students who finished their milk during multiple lunch periods.
• The City of Bellevue made presentations during lunch periods to boost recycling and composting collection.

Energy conservation (level two)

• Students posted signs near lights and electrical equipment to remind staff and students to turn them off when not in use.
• The principal sent information to staff about the school’s energy use via email and to parents via newsletter.
• Staff made morning announcements about conserving energy.

Water conservation and pollution prevention (level three)

• Three fourth-grade classes participated in Nature Vision’s “healthy water systems” workshop.
• To raise awareness about conserving water at school and at home, morning announcements were submitted to the front office and read to the school.
• Fourth graders used the City of Bellevue’s water conservation curriculum materials.
• The green team used the water conservation resource tub materials from the City of Bellevue.
• The Green Team sent emails to staff about water conservation and the school’s water use data.
• Students put up posters throughout the school to promote water conservation.
• Students placed “turn water off” stickers by sinks throughout the school.
• Four fourth grade classes participated in Nature Vision’s “Healthy Water Systems” workshop.
• Classes received the “Water Cycle Game.”
• Students went on a field trip to the local watershed.

For more information about the school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:

Ardmore Elementary School
425-456-4700