Two of Oxford’s elementary schools changed colors last week as they went from green to emerald.
In recognition of their outstanding efforts to help protect the planet and raise environmental awareness, Leonard and Clear Lake are now officially certified as Michigan Emerald Schools for 2008-09.
‘It shows that our school community is concerned about the environment and our responsibilities extend beyond the academic area,? said Leonard Principal Joyce Brasington. ‘We need to work with children and educate them on how to become good citizens.?
‘I think it says we do care about the environment and we continue to look for more ways to make sure that we’re being respectful of our environment,? said Clear Lake Principal Sue Hannant.
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.
Leonard and Clear Lake were both recognized as Green Schools for 2007-08.
Schools that participate in at least 15 of the 20 listed activities, can be designated as Michigan Emerald Schools.
Achieving Emerald status was Clear Lake’s goal this year. ‘We actually had a team of students, parents and faculty that were working jointly on this,? Hannant said.
While being recognized as an Emerald School is certainly an honor, Brasington the whole point of doing all these activities is, as always, to educate students.
‘They’re are future consumers and they need to be aware of their impact and their obligation,? she said.
‘Hopefully, they can take (what they’ve learned) and apply it at home,? Hannant said. ‘Ultimately, it’s got to be more than just what we want to do at school to make a difference.?
To help celebrate Earth Day and teach students the importance of reusing items, The Salvation Army is coming to Leonard Elementary Wednesday, April 22.
‘They’re going to have a big truck parked out in our parking lot and we’re going to be a community drop-off center for a couple of hours that day,? Brasington said. ‘That was something new we initiated this year.?
Leonard and Clear Lake will be recognized for their new Emerald status during a special ceremony to be held Monday, April 20 at the Oakland Schools Building in Waterford.