According to Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being green,” but the students and teachers of Wandell School would have to disagree. They have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of our environment and would suggest that Kermit take a visit to our school, so we could show him the way. Sometimes the grass is “greener” on the other side.  While Kermit may be a fictional character, what isn’t fiction is the affect teachers and students can have on our environment. As educators, we inspire our students to work hard and achieve their goals. We instill the belief that anything is possible and that one person can make a difference. Those beliefs are rooted in the hearts of the students, parents, and faculty at Wandell. By changing the way we think, act, and live our daily lives, Wandell has taken several strides towards making our school more sustainable.

The onset of our greening initiative developed gradually with more visible changes. Recycling containers were sprouting up throughout the building, motion sensor lights were illuminating the classrooms, and the activation of an email communication system to reduce our paper consumption was only the beginning. We then built an Outdoor Learning Center, equipped with flower gardens, a Koi pond, and seating made out of stone for teachers to take their classes outside. These changes provided the foundation for numerous green initiatives that followed.

With each step we took, we realized that the greening of our school was beyond just what the eye could see. Being green was not just about physical, tangible changes. It was about changing our actions, and creating lifelong habits that would positively impact our environment. Our teachers designed thematic units, further integrating ecology and the environment across the curriculum. We devised a summer reading list that included books about the environment and ways kids could make a difference in protecting our earth. The 5th grade students hosted an ecology fair for children in Pre-K through 4th grade to increase the school’s environmental awareness. During the fair, children were engaged in activities like picking out trash in a sandbox, and making “plastic bottle people”. Each child walked away with a “green” reusable bag filled with a tree sapling, an energy efficient light bulb, seeds to plant, and a reusable water bottle, among other eco-friendly goodies. In addition to the students’ participation, this event attracted local community members, school board members, and local government officials, including the mayor of Saddle River.

In an effort to increase the awareness of our students and community, we joined forces with the Green Committee of Saddle River, and hosted a Sustainable Saddle River event to educate the town on local green initiatives. The Borough of Saddle River was working towards “Sustainability” status through a certification program called Sustainable Jersey. Our school helped the town to be one of only 34 communities in the entire state of New Jersey to receive a Sustainability Jersey certificate. The feeling of unity and achievement between our school and community ignited the spirit of change, solidifying Wandell’s commitment to going green.

This year, the teachers have taken part in a Green School Project, to further educate students on sustainability. Teachers and students have investigated, planned, and designed projects that promote a more eco-friendly school and environment. One of the projects is to build a greenhouse in our Outdoor Learning Center. The plans include a rain barrel, solar radiant heat, and composting to provide fertile soil. The students are enthusiastic and look forward to developing and maintaining our Outdoor Learning Center. The other projects students are working on will be on display at this year’s Ecology Fair on April 16th. With Earth Day falling in April, the school will also be involved in a month-long variety of eco-friendly initiatives including “Carpool to School Day”, “Lights Out Lunch”, and a trash-free lunch competition. The school will be celebrating Arbor Day with lunch outside, and conclude our month-long festivities with a green-themed concert performed by our grade students.

While these are excellent improvements towards greening our school, our work is never done. An Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard would be the perfect addition to our greening initiative. This innovative technology would enhance our curriculum and educate people of all ages on environmental issues. It would provide a concrete example of how our everyday activities affect the world. We would be able to see our carbon footprint, determine ways to reduce our impact on the environment, and be energy efficient all at the same time. The Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard would also be effective in reducing waste caused by paper distribution, by displaying our calendar or school-wide events. Student achievements and sustainability initiatives would be displayed to positively reinforce our green efforts. Above all, an Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard will help to motivate and inspire our students to be proactive and make a difference.