On Feb. 5, Longfellow Middle School celebrated the arrival of new recycling bins, made possible through a grant by the McLean Community Foundation (MCF). Photo by Kevin McCarthy
On Feb. 5, Longfellow Middle School celebrated the arrival of new recycling bins, made possible through a grant by the McLean Community Foundation (MCF). Students and staff thanked MCF President, Amee Burgoyne, for supporting Longfellow’s recycling efforts. Also on hand, were Fairfax County Public Schools Environmental Educator, Elaine Tholen; Dranesville Supervisor, John Foust; Longfellow PTA President, Diane Begala; Longfellow Principal, Carole Kihm; Eco-Action Club Sponsor, Patrice O’Connor; parent volunteers and more than 20 Longfellow students who later helped to distribute the bins around the school. The event coincided with Thursday Lancer Time which is the half hour each week where students throughout the school empty classroom recycling bins into a central recycling dumpster. Principal Kihm said, "It is heartwarming to see the dedication of our students, staff, and parents working collaboratively toward earning the ‘Green Flag’ status. Environmental stewardship is so important to our mission, vision, and goals and I am very appreciative of all the hard work involved in continually striving to ‘inspire excellence’ in this important area.”
As part of the Green Flag journey, earlier this year, the recycling committee conducted an audit which identified the need for additional recycling bins in the school. To help defray costs. the Longfellow PTA applied for a grant from McLean Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization which reaches out to all corners of the community to fund project that benefit residents. PTA President, Diane Begala reported, "We are so grateful to the McLean Community Foundation for funding the purchase of Longfellow's new recycling bins. The environmental stewardship practices that our kids learn here will become habits that last a lifetime." MCF President Amee Burgoyne said, "We are happy to help Longfellow students launch this effort to make recycling a priority at their school. Not only is it great to see young people involved in community service, the lessons they are learning through this program will help them promote smart, environmentally-conscious behavior at home and in their other activities." Emily Simons, a Longfellow student and Eco-Action Team member, is enthusiastic about helping raise environmental consciousness at Longfellow. Last year, Emily began an upcycling program for Longfellow which collects empty juice pouches that normally would end up in the trash. So far, Longfellow has reduced over 100 pounds of carbon from the atmosphere through the upcycling program.
— Elizabeth Ende