Thinking about waste before we get to the bin

What three words come to mind when you see the classic green triangle composed of three arrows? For most, our thoughts go to the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. However, the three arrows that make up this triangle actually represent the critical steps that are necessary for a successful recycling industry: Collecting, Processing, and Buying.  […]


Idle-Free School Campaign

As temperatures are getting colder this winter, emissions from car idling will be on the rise. Whether it’s ten minutes waiting to pick a child up after school or five minutes in a drive-thru line, it may not seem like a big deal to sit at a stand-still with a car on. Yet, the U.S. […]



Using geothermal heat to save energy

Did you know about 90% of the square footage throughout LPS is heated and cooled by geothermal energy? This method is more sustainable because an exchange mechanism uses the relatively constant temperature of the Earth to heat or cool the buildings! LPS uses a vertical geothermal heating method, which means pipes are filled with water that […]


Sustainability Spotlight: FCS classes growing ingredients year round

Across the district, high school Family Consumer Science classes have been introducing tower gardens in the classroom and have started conversations about the Farm to Table concept. A tower garden is a vertical growing system that uses a low-wattage pump to carry water to the top of the tower and allow it to trickle down over […]


How to take your next event to zero waste

A zero waste event is a great opportunity to minimize the amount of waste, such as containers food or drinks come in, that is created through one game, PTO meeting, family fun night, or any other school related activity! The purpose of a zero waste event is to intentionally use items that can be reused, […]


Sustainability Spotlight: Pound Green Team is leading the way

Pound Middle school has an active Green Team that has implemented rewarding sustainability practices within their school. They are succeeding in creating environmentally friendly practices and attitudes every day. Anica Brown, a Pound Middle School teacher, oversees the club. Yet, it was her students that showed the initial interest in making their school more sustainable. […]


Sustainability Spotlight: Sheridan Elementary

This month’s Sustainability School Spotlight is Sheridan Elementary! LaVonne Hanlon, the school librarian, is beginning her fourth year leading the school’s Green Team. This has involved planning, holding meetings, and conducting activities with kids primarily on the Green Team with occasional school-wide participation.


Pershing Elementary begins to attract pollinators

The Pershing Elementary garden is growing into a lively educational space for students and the nearby community. The garden is fairly new, but it is full of exciting opportunities! The space is set aside for students to get outside and learn through hands-on experience, while also taking home the produce they grow. The Pershing outdoor space […]


19th Annual Cans4Books Recycling Drive Results

19th Annual Cans4Books Drive The results are in for the 19th annual Cans4Books recycling drive. Thank you to all of the students, staff, friends and neighbors that participated. Over $740 of books will be added to our school library bookshelves, and over 75,000 cans were recycled! Congratulations to our top schools and prize winners: 1st Place […]