Congratulations to “Our School of the Week,” The Bolles School Bartram Middle School Campus. They are taking on the environment in Northern Florida and doing a terrific job.

 

Their Environmental Club, in its second year, has 30 active members. And we do mean “active.” For the last two years the club has maintained a campus-wide plastic recycling program. The club members empty recycling bins weekly.

 

This year they introduced a Stop Littering program. They performed a skit to the entire school to generate enthusiasm. Posters cover the campus to remind students not to litter. Apparently they have gotten everyone’s attention because their campus is now a cleaner place to learn.      

 

Last spring the club sponsored an Earth Day celebration. There were all kinds of activities: a pledge tree, creek testing, grocery bag decorating, and a butterfly release. Another day of fun is planned for this year too.       

 

The entire school has jumped in to recycle ink and toner cartridges, cardboard, shredded paper. Even the cooking oil in the cafeteria is recycled…WOW! The bookstore sells some products made from recycled paper.

 

Conserving energy is catching on there too. They are adjusting their thermostats, turning off lights, and closing doors whenever possible.

 

Learning is centered on the environment too. Here’s what the teachers are doing:

  • 6th Graders test the water quality of the creek behind the school, build water filters, test the rainfall for acid rain and observe solar power in action.
  • 7th graders do a leaf identification activity and an endangered species project. Plants around the campus have been labeled with their scientific names. 
  • There are plant communities on campus like a hardwood forest, a pine flatwood, and a swamp forest where students learn about the plants specific to these environments.
  • The Robotics team participated in the FL Lego League Tournament with the theme, “How energy production and consumption choices affect the planet and out quality of life, today, tomorrow, and for future generations.”

  

Bartram’s Environmental Club’s Future Plans Include:

  • A cell phone recycling drive at the end of January.
  • Campus-wide paper recycling program will begin in the 2nd semester.
  • A butterfly garden will be planted in early spring. Not only will it be useful to the butterflies, but the 7th grade teachers will incorporate it into their curriculum.
  • Next to the garden will be a Tortoise Preserve which will be home to an African spurred tortoise and a red-footed tortoise that currently live in the science room.

 

We look forward to seeing what this school will come up with next. What great ideas for saving our planet. Bartram MS, you rock!