Students at Heritage Elementary are learning how to become responsible citizens by participating in a school-wide recycling program. The Heritage "green team" now recycles paper, plastic, aluminum cans, printer cartridges, grocery bags and cell phones. Principal Mary Lams explains that the recycling program was created as an extension of the school's character education program. "Students at Heritage Elementary have stepped up to the plate to put their character education program into action. Our character traits include compassion, respect, responsibility, citizenship and cooperation. Through the recycling program, our students are showing what it means to be responsible citizens by recycling to conserve precious resources."
Science teacher Jaime Logsdon has tied the recycling program directly into the science curriculum. Students spent the first few weeks of school learning about the recycling process and the positive impact it can have on the environment. The goal is to educate students and their families about the benefits of recycling so that recycling becomes a priority both at school and at home.
Each classroom has a blue recycling bin that is used to collect paper, magazines, newspapers and cardboard. In addition, there are bins in the cafeteria and staff lounge that are used to collect empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Students assist teachers by transporting the classroom bins to the main collection area outside of the cafeteria. Heritage also recycles empty printer cartridges (inkjet and laser), old cell phones, and plastic grocery bags. The school has the opportunity to raise money by recycling many of the items through various environmental programs, such as Wal-Mart's Kids Recycling Challenge. The school's success has been the result of teamwork among the students, staff and parents.
Businesses and community members who would like to support Heritage's recycling efforts can drop off empty inkjet cartridges, cell phones and grocery bags in the collection bins located lobby of Heritage Elementary.