John F. Kennedy Green School Profile
Come to New To You Sale April 16
(Susan Christin, Parent Volunteer, 4/3/2011)
The State of Michigan began Green School certification as a grassroots initiative at Hartland High School in Livingston County in 2005. This effort resulted in Governor Jennifer Granholm signing Public Act 146 into law in May of 2006. John F. Kennedy Green School Committee was founded in 2008 by a group of parents, staff and students who wanted to see John F. Kennedy Elementary become a certified Michigan Green School. Kennedy Elementary achieved Green School status that year, and has every year since then.
To earn basic Michigan Green School Certification, schools must meet at least 10 of 20 items on a checklist of eco-friendly tasks, such as classroom recycling. There are 2 higher levels of certification: Emerald, with 15 items met, and Evergreen, with 20 items met. Kennedy Elementary has achieved Evergreen Status ever since their 2nd year of Green School certification.
They have many Green initiatives, including adoption of an endangered species, the African Wild Dog; the Media Center updates its ecological print periodically, the school is now a nationally Certified Wildlife Habitat, and it is also a Numbered Monarch Waystation. The school planted a Michigan 
native plant garden, less draining on natural resources. They also formed a Gardening committee, which planted pumpkin patches, a vegetable garden, and a flower garden. The school has a rain barrel for water collection, the school‘s vegetable garden uses all organic biodegradable fertilizer.
The school recycles the following: paper, magazines and newsprint, toner cartridges, cell phones, batteries, plastic, metal, bottle caps, Capri sun pouches, plastic bags, clothing, CD’s, DVD’s, and has an annual shoe drive, in which sneakers are collected, then donated to Nike, who shreds them for reuse as playground filler.
This year the Green School committee and PTA will have their first annual New to You Sale, or Clean for Green Garage Sale on April 16th from 9am to 3pm. This school-wide garage sale will be at the school, at 24220 Rosewood, in Oak Park. Items for sale: electronics, including a fax machine, printer, books, gently used clothes, toys, and a variety of vintage and other unique items. Admission is free to the public. For more information about the Kennedy Elementary recycling efforts, check out their website: www.kennedygoinggreen.org.
