MSNV’s Green Philosophy
Maria Montessori believed that nature should be an inspiration for learning. MSNV has always included nature in the curriculum-the students recycle, compost, and participate in nature studies ranging from indoor research and observation to outdoor gardening and nature hikes. Because being respectful of the earth and providing a healthy learning environment for our students go hand in hand, MSNV faculty and staff also observe these and other green practices.
MSNV’s Green Subcommittee (under the Co-op Committee) spearheads the school’s energy conservation and environmental initiatives. The subcommittee’s efforts fall into three main categories:
WASTE REDUCTION
MSNV has taken numerous steps to cut down on the waste that comes in and out of the building, including:
Waste-Free Lunch. In addition to encouraging healthy, lifelong eating habits, we teach our students to help preserve the planet by recycling, composting, and packing “no waste” lunches. Our lunch guidelines recommend a reusable lunch box, reusable food containers and flatware, and cloth napkins.
Recycling and reusing materials. Students reuse materials whenever possible and every classroom has recycling bins for paper and plastic/glass; the office has boxes to collect used ink cartridges and cell phones. Since the spring of 2008 MSNV has collected yogurt containers that will be given a new life as pots for plants through TerraCycle and Stonyfield Farm’s Yogurt Brigade, a national yogurt container recycling program.
Before purchasing new items, we request used ones from our families and have a parent volunteer who faithfully monitors freecycle.com for useful treasures. The Green Subcommittee is evaluating the school purchasing policy and will be offering suggestions for products that may have even less impact on the environment.
Going electronic. The weekly newsletter is now emailed to families, surveys are conducted online, and most communication between the school and parents is via email. As part of our effort to minimize paper consumption in all areas, the Green Sub-committee is also in the process of reducing MSNV’s junk mail.
Eliminating disposables. Children use washable plates, utensils and glassware instead of paper or plastic for their daily snack. Parents are encouraged to bring class snacks to school in reusable bags; many classrooms have a dedicated snack bag that gets sent home to the weekly snack family.
School-wide functions use recycled paper and biodegradable bagasse plates, as well as corn-based cutlery and cups, which can all be composted after use.
Our elementary students surveyed the daily trash and realized that paper towels take up more space in our trash cans than any other single element. This year, three classrooms are participating in the Reusable Towel Pilot Program, in which each student is given a hand towel to use for the day. Based on success in the classrooms, MSNV staff purchased small towels for use in their bathrooms as well.
Due to these combined efforts, our regular dumpster is less than half full at the end of the week. We plan to change from a 4 cubic yard to a 2 cubic yard dumpster which in addition to helping out the planet will also reduce our costs.
Eco-friendly fundraising. The Green Subcommittee and the Fundraising Committee are working together to offer fundraisers that embody Montessori principles and promote community spirit such as holding our annual Reduce Reuse Recycle Yard Sale, selling unneeded school items on eBay, and advocating the use of reusable bags.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
MSNV strives to conserve energy wherever possible:
Saving energy. Our classrooms get so much natural light that most teachers rarely turn on all of the lights; lights are turned off when rooms are empty. We are also experimenting with raising/lower the thermostats by a few degrees throughout the school.
Conserving water. The school has installed low-flow aerators on all sinks and has replaced or converted most toilets to low-flush.
Using people power. MSNV encourages the use of rakes, hands, and elbow-grease at all work parties. Gas-powered tools are not allowed.
Carpooling: MSNV continues to promote and support carpooling and is recommending HOV-3, where parents arrive with no fewer than two children in each car.
Busing: In 2008 MSNV purchased a small bus to serve as a morning student shuttle, a special events shuttle and field trip transportation.
“No Idling” Pilot Program. MSNV urges drivers who expect to idle for more than 30 seconds in the carpool line to turn off their engines.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
MSNV uses only environmentally safe cleaning products for daily school cleaning, and our integrated pest management program avoids using pesticides and herbicides.
As with their indoor work, the students work outdoors with child-sized tools and self-directed lesson boxes. They learn about worms and soil, observe sun and shade, listen to sounds, and identify colors. These activities reinforce a respect for all living things and help them reflect on nature to experience an inner quiet and peace.
In 2008, the National Wildlife Federation recognized MSNV’s environmental leadership by certifying the schoolyard as a wildlife habitat. Our certification stemmed from our long history of providing clean water and shelter to wildlife, as well as of abiding by sustainable gardening practices such as mulching, composting and eliminating chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Rain barrels are located on both sides of the school. Students use this water for all outdoor projects from watering plants to cleaning up. The students are so conscientious about composting their food waste that the two small bins near the classrooms must regularly be emptied into MSNV’s large compost pile. The composted material is then used in the school’s gardens. Leaves and garden debris are raked into the woods to decompose instead of being bagged and put into the dumpster.
Our students and families also participate in many community activities. Over the summer of 2008, MSNV families rescued plants slated for demolition and used them to start a native plant garden along the school’s hiking trail. In the fall of 2008, the school organized a trash pick-up at the entrance to the Hillwood neighborhood, across from George Mason library. The students routinely pick up trash along the stream valley when they take their weekly hikes.
At MSNV we are always looking for ways to be more responsible inhabitants of the earth and to provide a safe, forward-thinking learning environment for our students. We hope that through these small steps, our students and families will learn the golden rule of sustainability - that we should leave our world a better place than we found it. MSNV aspires to be the healthiest, happiest environment it can be. If you have suggestions for green policies or practices, please contact the Green Subcommittee chair.
