My visit to Highlands to join in on their Green Team meeting was impressive and enlightening.  Highlands has so many students interested in the environment they have developed a Primary and Intermediate  Green Team.  The team is facilitated by three teachers, parents and administration, and the 28 students from Grades 4 to 7 present that day were eager to share their initiatives and ask questions about what other schools were doing. The teachers had organized some unique activities. They viewed YouTube clips created by green minded students from across the globe to showcase their initiatives and inspire others. Notice that in one of the pictures, rather than a new sheet of paper, the teacher recorded ideas on a large, re-used sheet of brown  wrapping paper that would otherwise be destined directly for the recycling bin.

Successful Green initiatives at Highlands:

• The highly successful Walk + Wheel to School Project.  As students enter the school, parents tally the students in each class who avoided the car on their way to school. The class with the highest rate of carbon friendly transportation receives the Golden Shoe award. Highlands awards one to thee highest primary class and one to the highest intermediate class. Daily results are displayed for all in the hallway. A little friendly competition is always a great motivator.
• Their own Community Garden is able to thrive over the summer in partnership with the on site  daycare centre and provided snacks for students.
• Highlands promotes Litterless Lunches, but also asks students to take home uneaten food, recyclables and garbage clean enough to transport.