What Is Our "Green" School Mission?
The TMS community acknowledges the earth’s gifts to us, fostering children’s sense of responsibility as stewards of the earth. As a "green" school, we strive to decrease our carbon footprint and increase earth-friendly choices. Read about the Stormwater Project that was accomplished through partnering with SAN (Schuylkill Action Network). View the Stormwater Masterplan.
Consumption and Waste / Reducing, Reusing, Recycling
• Compost vegetable and fruit remains from snacks, and any plant material.
• Recycle paper, cardboard, plastic and any other appropriate recyclables.
• Reduce trash by not using disposable items.
• Specifically reduce use of disposable plastic.
• Divert items from the trash and recycling into reuse.
Biodiversity / Watersheds, Wetlands, Trees, Oceans, Schoolyard Habitats
• Montessori Curriculum covers biodiversity topics thoroughly from many aspects of the curriculum.
• Children are encouraged to be outside and to value nature, including bug rescues.
• We value and explore Pine Run Park: woods, nature, and creek.
• We strive to provide a School Yard Habitat which encourages children to care for and interact with nature.
• TMS rain barrels and flow-through planters reduce stormwater runoff.
Healthy living, Sustainable Food, Healthy Water / Healthy choices are encouraged
• Water bottle hydration station.
• Vegetable garden: use vegetables in cooking activities.
• Healthy living: Phys. Ed. program gets kids moving.
• Kid-friendly cleaning supplies and practices.
• Rain garden, vegetable garden: classes are encouraged to help care for nature.
Energy Consumption / Climate Change, Transportation
• Turn off lights when not in use, and other energy-saving ideas, such as smart use of heating and cooling.
• Reduce water use (turn off water faucets when not in use).
ECO-School Guiding Resources
Biodiversity / Investigating and increasing biodiversity at school and beyond
A wide diversity of species animals, plants, and other living things is the key to a healthy, functioning ecosystem on many scales, from the school grounds to the whole planet.
Climate Change / Incorporating climate change education into curriculum
Schools are joining the movement to solve this urgent environmental issue. They are reducing their “carbon footprints,” and in the process, developing science, math, technology and social science skills.
Consumption and Waste / Reducing, reusing, and recycling
A school can reduce its environmental impact by analyzing the full life cycle of the products it uses. Trimming consumption, reducing packaging and transport distance, and recycling as many items as possible all translate into smaller amounts of garbage being hauled away.
Energy / Addressing energy conservation
Schools are the largest energy consumers in many municipalities. But up to 30 percent of that energy is used inefficiently or unnecessarily. Schools can significantly cut energy use, resulting in financial savings and reduced environmental impact.
Healthy Living / Promoting outdoor time, physical activity and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle
Time spent outdoors, physically active, and engaged in unstructured play is perhaps the best possible prescription to ensure a lifetime of good health.
Healthy Schools Addressing issues that impact human health in the school building and grounds
Eliminating toxic and hazardous materials, while maximizing elements that promote health, will improve the learning environment for students and staff.
School Grounds / Developing “green” grounds
Research has demonstrated that in all discipline areas, students who are given the opportunity to directly engage in outdoor education and experiential learning have been able to significantly increase their capacity for learning.
Sustainable Food / Improving nutrition and food sustainability at school
Food choices have a big impact on both health and the environment. A campaign focused on food sustainability can help you make nutritious, fresh, local and whole foods a part of the culture of your school and community.
Transportation / Addressing school transportation
The EcoSchools USA program aims to raise awareness of sustainable solutions for transportation that reduces fuel consumption, pollution and car use. Every school can change its travel footprint.
Water / Addressing water conservation
Basic water efficiency programs can reduce a school’s water use by 30% or more. The EcoSchools USA program can help schools improve irrigation methods, reduce water runoff, consume fresh water more efficiently, and reuse water to a greater extent.