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HAPPY EARTH WEEK 2014!

Congratulations to Bear Lake Elementary, Bear Lake, Abbot Elementary School, Ann Arbor and Lakes Elementary. Hartland. They are among the schools who achieved evergreen status this year.  

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Thunder Bay Junior High students in Alpena make quite a haul of trash along the Lake Huron shore on their Adopt a Beach Day. Schools can plan now for an Adopt a Beach Day.



Reminder: Don't forget to click daily on the rainforest site and ecologyfund.com  Each free click saves rainforest.  It is paid for totally be sponsors.

BATTERY FACTOID  Batteries contains some toxic metals including cadmium, lead and mercury.  Never throw out old batteries. They leach out into our water table and streams.  Schools and individuals can drop off old batteries at Batteries Plus locations.


2014 Michigan Green Schools Goal Cut food waste.  160 billion dollars of edible food is thrown out every year in the US.  It is the second largest waste item in landfills.  It costs energy dollars to dump, costs school lunch programs billions, and the gases from food waste gives off twice as much greenhouse gas as fossil fuels.  One simple step in schools--encourage students to take only what they want to eat in going through the cafeteria line.  Students can help too by designing informational signs for school.

The EPA estimates that only 15 percent of clothing and fabric items are recycled.  It is a great time of year for schools to do a clothing and shoe drive with Planet Aid.  They deliver free bins and provide free pick up.  It is a recycling point schools can earn this school year.  Go to PlanetAid.org to get started.


                                 MICHIGAN GREEN SCHOOL PATCH FOR 2014
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The traditional patch for 2014 is for 10 points of achievement. Emerald is 15 and Evergreen, the highest honor, is 20.
While visiting the MI Green Schools website you'll find lots of resources to help your school become a Michigan Green School. You'll find great ideas on how to get started and what activities they can do to to qualify for the 2013-14 school year.  See this information on the Green Activities page and  PixGallery.                                                 
Another good resource is your county coordinator. We have provided a list of current county coordinators for the 2013-14 school year. If your county does not have a coordinator, please contact Michigan Green Schools and we will assist you in becoming an official green school with the flag and signed certificate from the governor.

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APRIL GREEN IDEA     Hold an old pots and pans collection week.  Recycling metal is very helpful to our environment  in a number of ways.  Every county has a business or government  agency that will accept the material.  Businesses will pay your schools by the pound for metals including steel and aluminum.

APRIL ENERGY IDEA A major breakthrough in energy efficiency is now possible for schools and homes.  Putting a layer of white top coat product (not paint) will cut both your heating and cooling bills.  Tests show this works well in Michigan climate too. One of the biggest items in any school budget is energy.  Find out more by contacting Michigan Green Schools. We can point you in the right direction.
  
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A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

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Updating green media materials earns schools one point toward green certification. For more details on purchasing this MGS  book, click on the picture.
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The Mackinac Bridge connecting our two peninsulas and our Michigan Green Schools from Berrien Springs to Keeweenaw.
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Jefferson Elementary student showing her endangered animal project. Nice work in Manistee,
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COOL RECYCLING IDEAS FROM THE U.P. Students from Stambaugh Elementary in Iron River created a plastic bottle dragon for a recycling project.
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Students from Stambaugh Elementary, Iron River created a shoe box truck in this recycling project.
PictureAnd the winner is...A panda. Students at Pleasant Lake Elementary, Bloomfield Hills vote to adopt an endangered species. This earns them a green school point for their application.

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Students from Stambaugh Elementary, Iron River created a milk jug cat bed recycling project.
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Please contact Kris Moffett for additional information.  Our address is Michigan Green Schools Foundation, PO Box 626, Hemlock, MI 48626.
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Website updated April 23, 2014