Oxford High School recently added green to its traditional blue-and-gold color scheme thanks to its efforts to promote environmental awareness and help save the planet.
Not only is OHS now an official Michigan Green School, it’s actually a Michigan Evergreen School, which is the top designation in the state.
‘You’re not saving the planet for yourself, you’re saving it for the next generation ? and they really are that next generation,? said Molly Darnell, OHS teacher and adviser to the school’s Environmental Club.
Enacted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2006, the Michigan Green Schools Program is a statewide initiative open to all K-12 schools, public and private.
The state program’s hands-on approach is designed to teach students ecological responsibility by making them stewards of natural resources.
Michigan Green School status is achieved by successful participation in at least 10 of 20 specific environmental activities such as recycling paper, printer cartridges and batteries; adopting an endangered animal; instituting an energy savings program; observing Earth Day; and establishing a Michigan garden with native plants.
Schools that participate in at least 15 of the 20 listed activities, can be designated as Michigan Emerald Schools.
Schools that accomplish all 20 activities earn the highest status ? Michigan Evergreen School.
And that’s just what OHS did.
Some of the Wildcats? activities included adopting a gorilla; breaking ground on a native plant garden in the school’s courtyard; conducting an Earth Week back in January; and recycling paper, printer cartridges, batteries, cell phones, CDs, DVDs, metal cans and plastic.
When Darnell started researching the 20 activities the school could engage in to become more eco-friendly, she was surprised to learn ‘about half of them? were already being done because they’re either cost-effective or good for the environment.
‘I was actually amazed,? she said. ‘We’re already doing a lot of those things as a building and as a district.?
For instance, to help save on energy, the school has a ‘shut off, shut down? system.
The heating and cooling equipment has been programmed to reduce energy when the building is not in use, while the electronic equipment is shut down by staff members at the end of each day to save on electricity.
Although earning Evergreen status is certainly a source of pride for OHS, Darnell would like to see the honor generate a ‘heightened awareness? among the student body about everyday ways they can protect and preserve the environment. ‘My hope is more students will start catching on by seeing how easy it is, how important it is and how many different ways you can help,? she said.