Student Council

WSB Student Council presents another Zero-Waste Initiative!

/ michel anderson / 1 Comment

TerraCycle-Logo-PNGThe Student Council has enhanced its partnership with TerraCycle to bring  our community the ability to recycle single-use coffee/tea capsules. The rise of these machines is controversial because the capsules are not recyclable nor is the coffee always of the fair trade variety. Since 2010, the Zero Waste Box program by TerraCycle has been working to change some of that. Of course, further action is needed, such as demanding the manufactures of these machines & capsules take responsibility for their products from cradle-to-grave. (Hmm…perhaps a life-cycle analysis and letter-writing campaign project for our Middle School?)
But in the meantime, please bring in any brand of capsule — after we have collected 12 pounds of the them, the Student Council will mail them to TerraCycle for composting, recycling, and repurposing. (If you’re able to compost the coffee ground yourself at home we will be able to fit more capsules in our box. But if not, no worries, bring them in full.) If you’re place of work happens to use one of these machines, please consider starting your own collection campaign: Zero Waste Boxes

Welcome to 2014 at WSB

/ Lehcim Nosredna / Leave a comment

Welcome to 2014! This new year will see some new and exciting developments at WSB. Some of the green projects you’ll see happening (and be able to participate in) around our campus will be rebuilding the earthen oven, an expansion & beautification of our school garden, a new pop-up greenhouse on our terrace, and the building of an herb spiral and a cob structure in the garden. I’m also happy to report that our chickens & bees are doing fine and seem healthy and strong. (Much thanks to the Devecka Family for caring for them over our winter break!)
The Student Council’s TerraCycle project is underway and we already have over 6,000 points to put to good use! Currently up for vote is to help provide fresh water to an African Village or help preserve an acre of US wildlife land. (We’ll be doing both actually — this vote is to set our first goal.) Also, parents & faculty will soon see a surprise gift from the Student Council popping up at events . . . but I’ll leave it’s revelation to them.
With the warmish days, we’ve already gotten started! Below are a couple of photos taken at lunch time this week as dedicated students and I prepare the new flowing edges of our expanded garden. As well as a photo of Children’s Garden parent, Roland Oehme, taken as we were planting some of the trees he donated to our school.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Introducing TerraCycle!

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TerraCycle-Logo-PNGWSB’s Student Council has approved an exciting new initiative . . .  our Middle School is now a TerraCycle host site! Which means that we will be collecting certain hard-to-recycle waste products and sending them to TerraCycle for points. TerraCycle will then re-purposes and transforms these items into new goods; and with the collected points our students will be able to do a plethora of great things for our planet. Some of the things we can redeem our points for are: adopting & preserving wildlife land, reducing carbon from the atmosphere, giving clean water to people in need, supplying chickens & bees to those in need, and giving school supplies to at risk youth.

IMG_0675Tonight, your Middle School Student will be coming home with a list to stick on your refrigerator. It will consist of things to keep out of your trash/recycle bin and bring into school. The items we’re collecting are as follows:

  • Hot & Cold Cereal Bags & Liners
  • Cheese Wrappers & Hummus Containers w/ foil or plastic seal (please wash)
  • Ink Cartridges & Select Toners
  • Tech Waste (including old/broken cell & smart phones, GPS units & graphing calculators, ipods & mp3 players, old tablets & E-Readers)

Although this is a Middle School initiative, we invite the entire WSB Community to take part in this exciting program. The new TerraCycle Station can be found upstairs in the art gallery hallway. Please check it out next time you’re around.

hearts_TerraCycle-Arrow-Image2

Kiva Update: Dec 2013

/ Lehcim Nosredna / Leave a comment

Kiva-holidayToday, WSB was able to make another $25 KIVA loan! The loan was made with money repaid to us and was lent to a group of 7 people in Vietnam. The group members will be using the funds to build a septic system & hand-washing station in their homes. Read their story by clicking on the photo below:
KivaVietSince November of 2012 our lending team has lent over $1050 to people in over 73 counties. Check out our Impact Report HERE. (Hint: If you’re already a member, check in on your account . . . chances are you have a loan repayment that you can re-lend!)
In the months to follow we will be coupling this project with our TerraCycle program to involve our Student Council. You can join us by visiting our team page: Waldorf International Community. If you choose to make a $25 loan, WSB’s Student Council will be able to lend out another $25 on behalf of a 3rd party lender (effectively doubling your loan). Please consider joining us on KIVA!
Also! … consider giving the gift that gives back … a KIVA Card makes a great gift this Holiday Season!
kivacards

Food Drive Update: Delivered!

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The Student Council’s food drive donations have been delivered to Paul’s Place in Southwest Baltimore. The donation weighed in at 181 pounds!
Our students have been visiting and volunteering at Paul’s Place since 2009. During various trips there students have served food, bused tables, assisted people, and organized clothing. In fact, our 7th grade class will be volunteering at Paul’s Place later this winter. On behalf of the WSB Student Council & Paul’s Place, I thank you for your generosity and support of this year’s food drive.

Student Council Food Drive: The Final Numbers

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S1443_food_driveThe Student Council’s World Food Day Food Drive finished up last Friday. And although your generosity truly knows no bounds, I’m pleased to report that it did physically weigh in at (drum roll please. . . .) 175 pounds of food! I’ll be driving it all down to Paul’s Place within the next few days. Paul’s Place is a non-profit organization located in Southwest Baltimore. They offer a plethora of programs for in-need Baltimore City residents. Check out their website by clicking the logo below. If you have any last minute things you’d like to donate please let me or Jean know ASAP. Great job everyone!!!Top-with-logo_r1_c2

FOOD DRIVE presented by WSB’s Student Council!

/ michel anderson / Leave a comment

food_drive-zj6jozHi there! October 16th was World Food Day and in acknowledgment our Student Council will be hosting a 15 day FOOD DRIVE from November 1-15. A collection box will be found in the front lobby. All non-perishable food is welcome, and below is a list of the most needed items (including non-food items). Last year we collected 190lbs of food for Maryland’s hungry. Let’s shoot for 300lbs this year and give our neighbors in need a Thanksgiving Feast!

Meat & Protein

  • canned meat, ham and chicken
  • peanut butter
  • macaroni and cheese
  • canned stews
  • canned tuna, salmon and sardines
  • nuts and seeds
  • dried canned beans

Breads & Cereals

  • oatmeal
  • breakfast cereal
  • rice and rice cakes
  • pasta

Fruits & Vegetables

  • canned fruits and juices
  • canned vegetables
  • canned soup
  • sauces/salad dressing

Dairy Foods

  • evaporated milk
  • powdered milk
  • infant formula
  • puddings and custards

Non-food Items

  • diapers
  • toilet paper

Thank you for your support!