Easy Ways to Consume Less Electricity This Summer
SustainabilityWhether or not we are motivated by helping the environment, conserving electricity is worthwhile because it can save us money. All over the country, electricity bills are increasing as energy costs in general continue to climb. Here, courtesy of consumer expert Andrea Woroch, are six energy-saving tips for summer. Check back in a few days for six more tips. 1. Go Window Shopping When the weather hits over 90 degrees and it's too hot to be outdoors, leave your credit...
Food Allergy Incidence on the Rise
NutritionAccording to a recent study published in Pediatrics, 6 million children -- or one in every 13 children -- have food allergies. That's twice the 2007 estimate of 3 million. In addition, two in every five kids with a food allergy experience life-threatening reactions, like swelling of the throat or a drop in blood pressure. These findings support continued need for education and awareness of food allergies within the school setting. Reactions to food allergies can be life-threatening, and education...
Saint Andrew's School Named 'Green School of Excellence'
Sustainability, GardensCongratulations to the Green Team at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton, FL, for being named a Palm Beach County "Green School of Excellence." This is the highest level of recognition a school can attain in the program. The co-ed, K-12 boarding school also received a second place award for the 2011 program, in which 49 Palm Beach County schools participated. The honor comes with a $1,000 cash prize, which the school will use to purchase a composting...
Savannah Country Day Captures the Flag
Sustainability, GardensWhen the teachers, students and staff at Savannah Country Day School won the prestigious Green Flag Award from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), it was not immediately obvious just how special an honor they had received. The Green Flag Awards recognize the greenest schools in the world. But until this year, no American school had claimed the prize. The Eco-Schools USA program counts nearly 500 schools and some 205,000 students among its participants, but none had achieved the program’s...
The First Watermelon Harvest
Sustainability, GardensToday was the day we at Pine Crest School have been waiting for: the first watermelon harvest. The seeds for "Farmers Wonderful," a seedless variety of melon, were sown on March 23. On May 5, we were blessed with "Bouncing Baby Wasandra," the first melon we noticed in the patch. The students watched with much anticipation as the melons grew and grew. The praying mantis egg sacs that were placed in the garden on March 21 hatched around...
Good-bye Pyramid, Hello Plate!
NutritionThe USDA has released a new image to support its Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the plate shown above. The iconic pyramid logo was introduced in 1992, but its reformulation in 2005 came with a lot of criticism. The new My Plate concept addresses some of those concerns with a more simplified program. The plate image is divided into four sections, in the ratio of amounts of each food you should eat. Fruits and vegetables should fill up half your plate...
Green Cup Challenge Winners
SustainabilityCongratulations to the students at The Winchendon School, a coed, college preparatory school in Winchendon, MA, for achieving first place in the Northeast Boarding School category of the 2011 Green Cup Challenge. A program of the Green Schools Alliance, the Green Cup Challenge invites all schools -- public and private, day and boarding schools -- to measure and reduce campus electricity use and greenhouse gas emissions, and supports campus greening efforts, including recycling and water conservation. Carbon footprint reductions are...
Summer Increases Food Insecurity for Many Children
NutritionMillions of children in America rely on free or reduced-priced school breakfast and lunch to meet the majority of their nutritional needs. During the summer, when schools are closed, many struggle to find adequate nourishment. Feeding America's Summer Food Program attempts to meet the needs of these children through community-based meal programs and food banks. About 70 of the food banks in Feeding America's nationwide network participate, reaching about 300,000 youngsters. But that's a tiny fraction of the number...