Greening Back-to-School

Your back-to-school purchases have an impact on the environment. Here's why: 

14 billion pencils are produced every year, many made with wood from ancient forests. Americans use about 31.5 million tons of printing and writing paper each year, requiring 535 million trees (most from virgin tree fiber) and 12 billion gallons of oil to make. The average American consumes about 660 pounds of paper per year, compared to 550 pounds in Japan and only about 8.8 pounds in India.

4 Simple Things You Can Do to Make a Difference!

1.) Buy Environmentally-Friendly Supplies:

• Center for Health, Environment and Justice – Check out their Guide to PVC-Free Back-to-School Supplies and their Back-to-School Checklist.
• New American Dream has an excellent Back-to-School Guide.
• Office Depot, Office Max, Staples - (in-store or online) Look for recycled content paper and notebook products, green printing supplies; pencils made from certified sustainable-harvest wood; and EnviroTech products, which have a higher recycled content.
• Green Earth Office Supplies - (online only) Sells notebooks, recycled paper, recycled binders (some are made of old circuit boards!), and many other great products such as reusable, biodegradable, non-PVC plastic containers for lunch boxes under the Kitchen Supplies tab (containers must be hand-washed).

2.) Carpool or Ride a Bike to School

3.) Pack a Waste-free Lunch (Learn how here.)

4.) Recycle at Home and at School

Happy Earth Day!

We couldn't ask for a more beautiful day to get outside and do something to care for the Earth! Every day is Earth Day, but do something extra special today…plant a tree, do a neighborhood trash pickup, take a hike and record your findings in a nature journal, create a habitat for an animal in your yard, etc. Have fun! Paula

Here are some local happenings to get you started…

EARTH-DAY SPECIFIC

Week-long Celebration

Official Website:	Party For the Planet
Location:	1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI, 02907 map
Dates:	Monday, April 20, 2015 - Friday, April 24, 2015
Hours:	11am - 3pm
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free see below
Category:	Arts & Culture

This April vacation, don’t miss out on a party as big and green as the Earth itself! This weeklong extravaganza will celebrate the different regions featured in the Zoo; Africa, Tropical America, Australasia and North America. Join us to learn about the animals here at the Zoo that are from those regions and all about their exciting and vibrant cultures.

On Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, join us for our Environmental Fair. Environmentally friendly organizations from throughout New England sharing tips on how to live green in your community and home, and more.

The event runs 11am – 3pm Monday through Friday and is free with Zoo admission.

Official Website:	No Time to Waste at Providence Children's Museum
Location:	100 South Street, Providence, RI, 02903 map
Phone:	401-273-5437
Dates:	Wednesday, April 22, 2015 - Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Hours:	10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids
In/Outdoor:	Indoor
Cost:	$ see below

In celebration of Earth Day, see a hilarious family comedy about trash and recycling. This interactive performance gives a lighthearted look at the three R's of protecting the environment – reducing, reusing and recycling. Four 20-minute shows at 10:30 & 11:30 AM and 12:15 & 1:15 PM; recommended for ages 5 and up.

You can also try a variety of activities exploring conservation. Play a recycle sorting game, create sprout necklaces, and make other recycled crafts. Underwritten by Dominion Foundation.

Coming up on Friday…

Official Website:	Annual Earth Day Celebration at Franklin Park Zoo!
Location:	One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA, Massachuse map
Phone:	6175415466
Dates:	Fri from 4/24/15 - 4/24/15
Hours:	10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ages:	Infants, Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults

Coming up on Saturday…

Official Website:	Earth Day Celebration
Location:	40 Stow Street, Concord, MA, 01742
Phone:	978-371-0820
Dates:	Saturday, April 25, 2015 - Saturday, April 25, 2015
Hours:	10am - 2pm
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Indoor, Outdoor
Cost:	Free
Category:	Fairs & Festivals

HIKE
Borderlands State Park, Sharon/Easton

Blue Hills State Reservation, Milton, Free
With its scenic views, varied terrain and 125 miles of trails, the Blue Hills Reservation offers year-round enjoyment for the outdoor enthusiast. Great trails for any level.

Francis William Bird Park, Walpole, Free
Over three miles of walking paths wind through the park, traversing streams via old granite bridges and passing through rolling, grassy meadows punctuated with mature shade trees, tree groves, and ponds.

EcoTarium, Worcester
3-story museum and park dedicated to learning about our natural world. Animal exhibits, hands-on exhibits, special programs, train ride & planetarium.

MUSEUM

Official Website:	No Time to Waste at Providence Children's Museum
Location:	100 South Street, Providence, RI, 02903 map
Phone:	401-273-5437
Dates:	Wednesday, April 22, 2015 - Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Hours:	10:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids
In/Outdoor:	Indoor
Cost:	$ see below

In celebration of Earth Day, see a hilarious family comedy about trash and recycling. This interactive performance gives a lighthearted look at the three R's of protecting the environment – reducing, reusing and recycling. Four 20-minute shows at 10:30 & 11:30 AM and 12:15 & 1:15 PM; recommended for ages 5 and up.

You can also try a variety of activities exploring conservation. Play a recycle sorting game, create sprout necklaces, and make other recycled crafts. Underwritten by Dominion Foundation.

Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton, $
The Blue Hills Trailside Museum is the interpretive center for the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation and is managed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

South Shore Natural Science Center, Norwell, $
The South Shore Natural Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the natural and cultural environments of the South Shore.

Visit Us at the Fun Fair!

Stop by The Green Room at the Cottage Street School Fun Fair on Sunday, March 22 from 10-4 

Challenge: What can you recycle or compost and what goes in the trash?

We will have interactive game stations where you can explore, challenge yourself, and learn about ways to green our school! The Green Room was a big hit last year with children and adults alike!  

Come see how you can be a part of the Cottage Street School's Green Team!

See a timeline of the history of the Green Team. 

Thanksgiving Recycled Craft

Now that Halloween is passed and you have a bunch of errant wrappers, put them to good use with this festive Wrapper Turkey from Housing a Forest! You can also make this with scraps of used paper, or strips of paper from a magazine or newspaper if you want to forego the candy wrappers altogether. Enjoy! Paula

http://www.housingaforest.com/candy-wrapper-turkeys/

Fall Upcycled Craft

Green Teamer Hana made this easy-to-make hurricane lamp using a large glass jar, pressed leaves, découpage medium (Mod Podge here), and a candle!

Press leaves, spread découpage medium on underside.

Stick leaves to jar and then découpage  front of leaves.

Insert a candle and light with a long match (adults, only).

Enjoy the beautiful light passing through the fall colors!

Waste-Free Lunch Challenge!

 Join the Cottage Street School Challenge by packing a waste-free lunch 

What is a Waste-Free Lunch? 
A waste-free lunch includes foods in reusable containers such as stainless steel containers or BPA-free plastic containers, cloth wraps or pockets for sandwiches and other dry snacks, aluminum or stainless steel water bottle, reusable silverware and a cloth napkin all packed in a reusable, insulated lunch bag. They discourage the use of disposable packaging, prepackaged foods, plastic bags, juice boxes and pouches, paper napkins, and disposable utensils. When we make these simple changes, we, as individuals, can reduce the amount of trash we generate. 

Why Pack a Waste-Free Lunch? Did you know that a school-age child using a disposable lunch generates 67 pounds of waste per school year? That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-sized elementary school! (source: WasteFreeLunches.org) Packing a waste-free lunch is one easy way to reduce this waste. It will also help your family budget and help children eat a healthier lunch. READ MORE

Salsa from the Kindergarten Garden!

The Kindergarten Garden yielded some juicy tomatoes and herbs. The goal was to make a pizza garden. Thanks to Hana and all the volunteers who helped make it happen. We hope to work with a local farm to bring some fresh produce directly into our cafeteria this fall!

Try this recipe for a fresh snack idea...

Salsa Fresca

4-5 Garden tomatoes, diced
Fresh basil, torn up
Corn kernals (roasted are especially delicious)
Red kidney or black beans, about a cup
Fresh parsley or cilantro, cut
Healthy splash of lime juice or balsamic vinegar
2 T of olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

Mix together and let sit for an hour or so to let the flavors meld. This makes a wonderful snack with some non-GMO corn chips. Another option is to melt cheese on chips and drizzle with salsa. Top with fresh guacamole. Enjoy! Paula