Caught Being Green

At Lu Sutton we are constantly searching for ways to go green. We think it’s important to help students learn how they can help the environment at home and at our school. We continually educate and expose our students to the easy and fun ways we can all pitch in and help our planet!

The Caught Being Green program has helped empower students in the following areas:

• by teaching students to take action when there is a problem
• by showing students that their actions can and do make a difference
• by demonstrating to students that their actions combined with the actions of others can  have significant impact
• by educating students that their actions have effects beyond what can be seen right here, right now

Here are some of the engaging projects and activities that have helped educate students through the Caught Being Green program:

• Weekly tips and lessons from Curb Your Carbon at Community Time, 2007 ongoing
• Solar Fountain, Spring 2007
• Organic School Garden, 2007 ongoing
• Proposed Photovoltaic system, proposed in 2007
• Animals and the Environment Assembly, 2006

The Caught Being Green program contributes to the health and wellness of our students through the following projects:

• Walk & Bike to School, Safe Routes Program, 2004 ongoing  (100+ students)
• Lu Sutton Walk-a-thon, 2006 & 2007
• Organic School Garden, 2005 & 2006 (planning), 2007 ongoing
• Tools for Schools – Internal Air Quality, 2005 ongoing
• Lunch Buddies, 2006 ongoing

The Caught Being Green program has helped conserve resources and prevent pollution in the following areas:

• Water Savings by amending watering schedules through the Garden Committee, 2007
• Energy Savings through reducing usage, adjusting thermostats and changing to energy-efficient lighting, 2007
• Waste Reduction through increased recycling efforts, 2003 ongoing
• Reductions in paper use by reusing paper, increasing margins, duplex copying, using message boards and sending files electronically, 2006 ongoing
• Improved internal air quality through the Tools For Schools Program, 2005 ongoing
• Waste Reduction through environmentally responsible disposal or relocation of outdated materials and equipment, 2005 ongoing
• Proposed Solar Energy system to help reduce energy and demonstrate photovoltaic technology to the students, 2007
• Waste Reduction through recycling of printer cartridges and cell phones

Student/Parent Participation:

• Mega Skills Character Education/Cheetah Pats
• Cancel a Car, CYC  (in collaboration with Rancho Elementary)
• School Garden
• Recycling in classrooms/lunchroom
• Student Council Green Team
• Community Time:  weekly
• Cheetah Chatter:  weekly parent/community newsletter
• Halloween Carnival
• Recycled Halloween Costume Contest
• Caught being Green photos on Green Board
• PTA Walk-a-thon:  annual fundraiser

Community/Business Partnerships:

• Novato Recycling
• Cal Pacific Electric
• NUSD
• Pini Hardware:  solar fountain, recycling bins
• Five Little Monkeys:  prizes for Recycled Costume Contest
• Green Team
• Blue Planet Laser:  Cartridge & Cell Phone Recycling