Go Green Initiative Meeting Minutes for March 15^th,  2006

Attending:  Chelle Naef, Mark Naef, Brian McGann,  Jennifer Cornell, Douglas Grady, Tony Tolbert, Anne Jamison, Cynthia Carlson, Daryl Hall,  Linda Kraemer, Michelle Rurka and Mark Stern.

Chelle opened the meeting with a review of the minutes from the previous meeting;  Mark made a motion to accept the minutes, which was seconded by Daryl.  Chelle announced that the Ed Smith PTO will be using the Styrofoam plates that they currently have to use up to serve the Multicultural Dinner March 16^th, but that they will be using paper plates and products in the future which are more environmentally friendly.  Introductions were then made with two new faces Michelle Rurka and Mark Stern.  Michelle Rurka is with the Solvay Paper and Board Company and is here to support the program.  Mark Stern  is reporting for Kris Venne and the composting committee due to spring break at S. U.   Chelle notes that the Go Green Website can be accessed through a link on www.naefrecycling.com  .

Earth Day  Discussion:  There are many ideas available for the students to participate in and the committee will send out letters to the teachers with the list to see what each class would like to do. 

The list includes:  1) Visiting the Veggie bus for a informational session on Friday, the 21^st of April, 2) art coloring contest, 3) cleaning up the community garden to prepare it for planting, 4) help build a permanent compost bin outside, 5) cleaning up the school grounds, 6) Participate in a field trip to Naef  Recycling, Solvay Paper,  OCRRA, or a local farm like Toad Hollow,    and/or  7) grow seedlings to plant in the garden or take home to plant.   Some logistical questions still need to be addressed such as who will supply the materials for the various projects,  and how to transport students to different field trips.  Other general suggestions for people to celebrate Earth day are to have a walk to school day, promote carpooling, or ride bikes.

Team Reports: 

Generate Compost:  Mark Stern reports that the committee is keeping track of the compost generated by the five classes participating and notes that the bins are getting full again.  He thinks an outdoor permanent compost bin would be very helpful.  All the classes are doing well and Mrs.  Berman’s class is spinning their ball and adding sawdust already.  Kris and Mark have reserved two gardens in the community garden which need to be rototilled before any planting is done.  The committee will soon be transitioning from generating  to using the compost.  The plan is to start seedlings soon to plant in the gardens when it is warm enough.  It will be mostly vegetables but there is room for a few flower plants.  Kris has invited an artist to come to draw a picture about what is happening when material is composted so the children can visually conceptualize the process.  Douglas Grady from OCRRA has compost and mulch to donate and he will pick up seed packets at the Garden Show.  Doug notes that OCRRA will have a booth at the garden show.

Recycling:  Mark has several announcements including information about applying for the Vonnell Mastri Recycling Award.  Applications have been forwarded to all the principals in the Syracuse School District.  Also,

NYSAR3  GGI scholarship applications are now available to all area schools.  They must be returned by early April, so Mark says get yours today!  Be sure to check on www.NaefRecycling.com  website for all Go Green updates.  Naef Recycling, Daystar Recycling and now Solvay Paperboard have joined forces to help sponsor local schools as they join GGI.  Any other  interested sponsors are welcome.  Please contact Mark for more information.  Mark and Chelle Naef  have been asked to speak at the Link CNY Innovation Expo on Go Green in CNY and more specifically Ed Smith.  Mark would like to discuss ways to sustain the program in the school.  Also, OCRRA has brought a stack of new recycling forms that they just printed off for 2006.

Evaluation:  Brian reports the following numbers of recycled material to date:  Paper  6,536 lbs,  Cardboard  910lbs,  and Plastic   18lbs.  He will continue to gather data with the help of student council and report at the next meeting.

Education:  The committee reports that the 2^nd grade  performance will be held on April 20^th and will be a play about keeping our community clean and helping to recycle.

Nationalize:  Daryl reports that she has made a power point presentation about the GGI here at Ed Smith and it is available to anyone who would like to present it  to other groups and schools.  Anne and Cynthia have agreed to be ambassadors  for the program to bring it to the schools in the district for now.

Next Meeting Date:  Tuesday  April  25^th at 3:15pm in the music room