ENV 8

Dear parent,

As we near the end of term, the Green Committee is working hard on defending our Green Flag. On 25th April at 10.00 a.m. we are being assessed again – our last assessment was in February 2004. This time we are tackling energy conservation in the form of electricity and heating. We are also looking at water wastage.

We are anxious to cut down our unnecessary use of lights in school and to reduce the number of radiators that continue to draw heavily on gas. All classes are being encouraged to turn off lights if at all possible and to shut outside doors and windows to curb draughts. Unnecessary radiators are being located and turned off and children will also be looking at their own homes to see if they can improve energy conservation there. Over the next few days, all children will be doing a survey to see how things might be improved. In this way, we will become more aware of the damage being caused by the overuse of fossil fuels and will be taking a closer look at alternative energies available to us.

Of course, we continue our recycling programme. As you know, we recycle batteries, aluminium cans, card and paper, milk cartons, ring holders (for cans) and stamps. In this way we are reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. Black plastic bags are being replaced by ‘Earth to Earth’ bags which are totally biodegradable. We continue to use our compost bin and the PTA has bought us a wormery which can be seen in action in the courtyard. We hope to work on the development of the garden very shortly (when it dries a little!) and to this end, children are planting seeds during the week. Texting parents as a means of communication has started and emailing is set to follow soon. In this way we will aim to reduce photocopying and consequently the amount of paper and energy used.

All in all, we are moving our ‘Green Campaign’ forward and hope for success when An Taisce visit us next month.

Please note that all Green Schools information (including this letter) can be viewed on our school website – http://homepage.eircom.net/~kogrange/index.html. Just follow the link, “Our ‘Green’ Project”

Thank you for your continuing support.

Best wishes,

James Malseed

Kathryn Malseed