GREEN SCHOOLS AWARD

Green Schools in Wicklow

Calling all Teachers!!

Most young people care deeply about environmental issues. They can learn about these issues in the classroom as well as through the media. They want to help but knowing what to do and how to do it is not always easy. Green-Schools could be the answer. It builds on the natural enthusiasm of children for environmental issues, developing a mature and responsible attitude to the environment and a commitment to practical action.

The Green Schools programme was launched in Ireland by An Taisce in September 1997. Among its aims are, to introduce the concept of environmental awareness and sustainable development throughout the curriculum, to reduce litter and waste both in schools and at home, involve the local community in seeking solutions to environmental problems and focus on local needs by extending learning beyond the classroom and develop responsible attitudes and commitment at home and in the community.

In the Green Schools project teachers, in co-operation with pupils and parents draw up an environmental plan for the school. The guidelines are broad enough to cater for both rural and urban, small or large schools, and can include any aspect of environmental protection and awareness. To date two Green Schools Award have been presented in Wicklow. Both schools have implemented imaginative waste management plans cutting down on the waste being collected in the wheelie bins each week. The environmental services section of Wicklow County Council will offer advice and assistance to schools wishing to participate in the Green Schools Project. As of yet, no secondary school in Wicklow has been awarded the Green Flag. We would like to see many more schools enter for this award.

The Green Schools Award

Green Schools is a European-wide project designed to encourage and acknowledge whole school action for the environment. Green Schools offers a well-defined controllable way for you to take environmental issues from the curriculum and apply them to the day to day running of your school.

At present there are 10 schools flying the Green Flag in Wicklow, over 60 schools are registered for the scheme.

The process will help pupils recognise the importance of environmental issues and take them more seriously in their personal and home lives. Green-Schools is both a programme, and an award scheme. The programme can be adopted by any school using the guidelines given by An Taisce.

The award will be given to schools that complete the seven steps of the programme.

The Seven Steps :

1. A Green Schools Committee

This directs the school’s involvement in the project. The committee can be made up of students, teachers, management and parents.

2. Environmental Review

A process of examining the school’s environmental impacts/problems in order to identify targets for action and improvement. A comprehensive Environmental Review document is part of the Green Schools pack

3. Action Plan

This gives specific and achievable targets with proposed completion dates that will show real success.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

This will ensure that progress towards targets is checked, amendments made where necessary and success celebrated.

5. Curriculum Work

Curriculum materials are provided that give ideas on how to integrate environmental issues into lessons. Litter and Waste is the curriculum theme in the first year. In subsequent years you can study water, energy and other environmental issues.

6. Informing and Involving

A publicity programme keeps the school and wider community involved and informed through displays, assemblies and press coverage. A day of action involves the whole school and wider community in meeting your targets.

7. Green Code

This is a statement of the school’s commitment to environmental good habits.

Schools that establish all seven elements and achieve recorded improvements in their environment can apply for a Green-Schools Award.

The Environment Section of Wicklow County Council will offer any help required to schools applying for the award. We can visit your school and talk to the students on issues of waste management.

Please contact Moira Byrne at 0404-20276 or by E-mail: mbbyrne@wicklowcococ.ie