Success story: Springbrook Elementary School

School District: Kent
School Location: Kent
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: October 2009

Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in June 2010
Level Two of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2011

Waste reduction and recycling

Springbrook Elementary increased its recycling rate from 34 percent to 46 percent, a 35 percent increase.
To achieve this improvement, the school improved classroom recycling and initiated lunchroom can, bottle and milk carton recycling. Springbrook also began to sort food scraps and food-soiled paper as a pilot.
School staff placed recycling stickers that list what can and can’t be recycled on classroom and lunchroom recycling containers.
Buckets lined with newspapers are used in classrooms to collect food scraps. Special buckets are located next to each classroom sink to collect paper towels for composting.
A student green team was started with student representatives from each grade level. Student representatives report back to their classrooms with information about waste reduction, recycling and composting, and why these actions are important.
Teacher Linda Smethers made recycling sorting activities for school Smartboards and Jami Kaurzlarich, school counselor, visited all classes to share lessons.
Second and third grade students created electronic “photo stories” about environmental topics, and fourth-through-sixth grade students created 20-second commercials on the theme, “It’s my environment.”
Students shared their ideas about recycling during the Earth Day Assembly.
Springbrook students attended a technology fair where they shared information on conservation. Teacher Shawn Welsh built a replica of the school equipped with solar panels, which the school hopes to install with a grant in the coming school year.
In 2010-11, Springbrook staff and students increased the amount of food scraps that are diverted from the landfill and collected for composting. A pilot program for compost collection services was paid for by a grant from the Disney Planet Challenge.
By placing paper reuse boxes throughout the school and by collecting Capri Sun juice pouches, potato chip bags, and ink cartridges for recycling, Springbrook increased the amount of material that is diverted from the landfill.

Energy conservation

Springbrook reduced energy waste by building good habits, notably turning off computers in classrooms and labs after using them.
Students posted signs around the school to encourage energy conservation.
Students shared energy conservation information through announcements and posters.
Through its conservation efforts, Springbrook increased its presence and message in the community that “Our students are good citizens and are working to make the school and community a better place.”

Awards

In 2011 a group of fifth grade students working under the name of SAVE, The Student Association of Vampire Elimination, competed in the Disney Planet Challenge grant competition and the project was honored as one of four projects in Washington State.
SAVE students also received a King County Earth Hero at School Award in April 2011.