Clawson Elementary Schools Go Green, Earn “Evergreen” Designation

(Clawson Schools Press Release, May 24, 2014)
The State of Michigan Green Schools Program has named Clawson’s two elementary schools – Kenwood and Schalm – Michigan “Evergreen” Schools, the highest ranking.
The Michigan Green Schools Program encourages schools to participate in environmentally friendly and energy savings activities. If a school participates in 20 activities, it may be designated a Michigan Evergreen School. Those participating in 15 activities may be named a Michigan Emerald School. A school achieving 10 of the 20 listed activities may apply to be a Michigan Green School.
“The Green Machine” is a club at Schalm whose students are involved in helping with green projects and activities throughout the building.  The students make posters to promote waste free Wednesday lunches and sort bottle caps for a bottle cap mural under the direction of art teacher Terri Havers. The mural will be displayed outside the main office at Schalm. Technology teacher Carol Arslanian produces commercials for morning announcements with “Green Machine” students. The club is led by teachers Deb Smith, Andrea Cole and Marji Joyce-Oberer.
At Kenwood, the Mudpuppies garden club, led by teacher Norma Frame, participates in a number of environmental activities. They maintain gardens on the school grounds, along with mulching and composting. The Mudpuppies also participate in native habitat projects, such as making bird houses and winter food cakes for the birds. They also maintain trees and bushes with berries for native animals. Through Kenwood’s waste free lunch program, the students recycle everything possible including the styrofoam lunch trays. They also learn ways to reduce non recyclable materials by using reusable containers.
For further information, visit www.michigangreenschools.org
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http://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/04/01/the-socrra-tour/
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http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/10/ferndale-shows-its-green-cruise-side-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/04/30/green-schools-jfk-and-roosevelt-recognized/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/11/12/recycling-101-how-to-save-the-city-money-help-the-planet-too/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/04/03/semcog-adopts-green-infrastructure-vision/