Western Avenue School Goes Green

 is at the forefront of being green these days thanks to their "Green Team" of 3rd-5th graders.

Led by Carrie Malfeo and Maggie Bachus, this group of recyclers has created quite a movement at .

“This is a wonderful initiative to teach the next generation how to be green and how to recycle,” said Assistant Principal Bruce Nieminski. 

Inside the school's doorways are bins for laser jet cartridges, cell phones and batteries. They also compost leftovers instead of throwing them away during their "No Waste" lunches.

 has even used their green habits to their financial advantage. Students recycle paper and exchange it for money to help fund their green initiatives. 

Malfeo and Bachus are currently pushing for a field trip this April to Homewood Disposal so that students can get a first-hand look at big-scale recycling. They also plan on creating a small landfill at the school and will have students dig it up at the end of the year to see what has biodegraded.

Students have also started, among other things, an organic garden, dubbed "The Lasagna Garden." In it, they grew vegetables that you might typically find in (you guessed it!) lasagna.

The kids are not the only ones benefiting from the program.

“I think... teachers feed off of the kid’s excitement and enthusiasm,” said Nieminski.

Students who wish to be a part of the group are given an official application where they are asked why they want to become part of the team. Once the application is accepted students meet on an official level once per month with various fun projects in between.

If your child (or you) is interested in learning more being green, Malfeo suggests visiting greeneducationfoundation.org. Students are also encouraged to participate in the "All Green Paper Drive" on St. Patrick's Day.