Everyone says children are our future, so it’s a good thing Oxford students are already involved in efforts to help the environment and ultimately, save the planet.
Although the Environmental Club at Oxford High School has been around for a while, one might not realize the huge impact they’re making in the recycling world.
Every Monday afternoon, members of the club wheel bins around the school and collect used paper from every classroom and office that might otherwise end up in the trash.
It’s then put into a recycling bin in the school’s south parking lot for pick up.
‘On an average month, we collect 8,000 pounds of paper,? said Brian Edwards, the club’s sponsor, noting that the club gets reimbursed $15 per ton of paper they recycle.
The funds the club collects from recycling go toward adopting an animal at the Detroit Zoo, which is something they have done for at least the past three years.
‘It’s nice to know we’re helping the world,as little as we do,? said junior club member Jesse Hayes.
But it doesn’t stop there.
The Environmental Club also has been collecting various cardboard boxes from the school. Oxford Meijer has been generous enough to let them use their baler for the cardboard free of charge.
Even though their focus has been on recycling paper and cardboard, Edwards said his club desperately wants to do more.
They’re interested in recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans, but are seeking businesses to donate containers to collect the items in.
‘We’re happy to collect it and sort it if we have to,? he said. ‘It’s kind of tough to pay for it because we have very limited funds.?
Edwards said it’s important for the community to know that the recycling bin at the school is open to the public.
If you’d like to donate bins for aluminum or plastic recycling, e-mail Edwards at EDWARB01@oxford.k12.mi.us.
At Oxford Elementary, the Green Team has made it their mission to better the environment one classroom at a time.
Comprised of fifth-graders Drew Sedam, Will Horne, Logan Bruni, Gordon Denzler and Alex Windeler, the Green Team was established a couple months ago after the school took part in an assembly on energy.
Teacher Mary Kraniak, who also has a degree in environmental studies, appointed the boys to keep the school ‘psyched? about being green.
The team created a checklist for each classroom to follow, like making sure they use both sides of paper and turning the lights and computers off when they’re not in the room.
Every week, the team makes its rounds to each classroom with clipboard in hand to make sure the tasks were completed and then posts a report card on their door on if they passed or not. The goal is to get as few points as possible.
Whichever classroom gets the least amount of points is designated the Green Class of the Month and is displayed on a bulletin board in a hallway.
If a classroom fails to make the grade, the Green Team visits the class and reminds them of ways they can better the environment.
Team member Horne said he was happy to join the team.
‘I knew it would help the environment and it sounded fun, too,? he said.
Their dedication to helping the environment doesn’t stop at school though.
‘Ever since we’ve been doing this I found out that my family is a big energy waster,? Windeler said.
When the boys move on to middle school next year, they hope to keep the Green Team alive so they can make a difference at that level too.
Other projects elementary schools will be working on include Darlene Harsant’s second-graders at Daniel Axford, who will be promoting the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink.
Her students will be analyzing their lunches and try to change the garbage they generate by using (and reusing) cloth napkins and rubber containers as opposed to paper napkins and plastic lunch bags. They will chart the changes over a month to see how many students have learned to reuse. Also, Harsant will have her class compare garbage from 80 years ago to now, and will sing songs written by DA speech pathologist Kelli Talicska, like ‘One Can Make a Difference,? and ‘This Pretty Planet.?