Success story: Kokanee Elementary School
School District: Northshore
School Location: Woodinville
Began participating in the Green Schools Program: November 2014
Level One of the Green Schools Program: Achieved in May 2015
Waste reduction and recycling (level one)
- Kokanee Elementary increased its recycling rate from 33 percent to 40 percent in its first year participating in the Green Schools Program.
- Students in the Green Club created posters and placed them in all classroom pods to motivate students and staff to reduce waste and recycle more.
- Teachers Julie Alleman and Jessica Ohlenkamp shared information over PA announcements every Friday and in a parent newsletter.
- Fourth- through sixth-grade students met on a regular basis to talk about recycling and learn how to most effectively monitor recycling and waste stations to help other students properly sort waste. They also participated in a conservation quiz show game.
- Fifth-grade science classes received King County’s classroom waste reduction and recycling workshops to educate and inspire students.
- Teachers reduced paper waste by limiting paper handouts, using web pages for assignments, making double-sided copies, and promoting the use of “Good on One Side” scratch paper that was collected in classrooms.
- The school shared information about reducing lunch waste with all parents.
- The school cafeteria used durable trays and bulk condiment dispensers.
For more information about the school’s conservation achievements and participation in the Green Schools Program, contact:
Julie Alleman, teacher
jalleman@nsd.org
Jessica Ohlenkamp, teacher
johlenkamp@nsd.org