Sustainability Spotlight: Kooser PLC Day Assemblies
November’s Sustainability Spotlight is shining on Kooser Elementary School! Kooser officially started a school-wide compost program this year after a successful pilot last spring. This means organic materials (food scraps, paper towels, tissues, etc.) are collected from spaces like classrooms, offices, and restrooms in addition to the cafeteria compost program. Waste bins throughout the entire building are labeled to help students and staff sort their waste correctly in the three categories: compost, recycle, and landfill. Andrea Woita, Kindergarten teacher and Sustainability Champion at Kooser, helped lead this effort and suggested a waste sorting theme for the grade level assemblies during their October PLC Day. Like many elementary schools, PLC Days at Kooser follow an adjusted schedule that allows a 30 minute grade level assembly where students participate in some sort of engaging activity.
For the most recent PLC Day, the LPS Sustainability Team was invited to lead activities for each grade that helped students become waste sorting experts. The Sustainability Team also partnered with the contracted hauling company for the compost program, Waste to Energy Lincoln. The composting expert on staff, Melissa Mercier, joined the assembly and brought a sample of finished compost so students could see what happens to the material they collect in the bins at school. LPS Assistant Sustainability Coordinator, Mandy Bydalek, reviewed the type of items that go into each container before having students test their skills with a Super Sorter relay race.
Typically, the special’s teachers at the elementary school are responsible for organizing these grade level activities on PLC days. At Kooser, the specialists were on hand to support the sorting activities and enjoyed the partnership with the Sustainability Team.
“The students were all engaged in what would go in compost, recycling, or landfill. Having the students themselves sort the pieces in a relay or by showing the number on their fingers allowed them to all be actively engaged. I’d tell anyone who uses this system in their school to invite the sustainability crew out!”
"I can say that it was one of the BEST PLC experiences that we have ever set up for our students. EVER!"
These PLC Day experiences are a great way to review information with the entire school in a meaningful way. And for schools hoping to incorporate more sustainability into their school day, but not quite sure how to fit it in, this is a great starting point.
"The Kodiaks had a blast with the sustainability team during their grade level presentations because it was interactive and the kids enjoyed learning about what they can do to help our world."
If your school is interested in a sustainability themed experience for your next PLC Day please reach out to sustainability@lps.org. A range of activities are available covering environmental topics such as waste, energy, transportation, water, and nature!
Updated March 14, 2024
