Teachers
The educational programs offered to schools in Tompkins County is based on the 4Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle, and rebuy. The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division offers a comprehensive approach, including educational programs, teacher training and technical support for school districts, with the following three goals in mind:
- Students, teachers, and staff are empowered to engage in 4R's practices.
- Students, teachers, and staff practice 4R's in school.
- Students, teachers, and staff apply 4R's in everyday life.
The program helps teach students by increasing their knowledge about Tompkins County recycling program and the 4Rs. By involving children in active learning experiences, students learn where their garbage goes and are showed waste reduction strategies. Making the connection between individual behaviors and the impact they have on the environment is an essential part of environmental education. We like to motivate students, teachers, and staff by providing a positive learning experience that gives them an opportunity to learn about reduce, reuse, recycling and rebuy.
For the 2006 School Year, the following school districts have invited Tompkins Solid Waste Management Division to provide a presentation about waste reduction activity:
- Freeville Elementary
- Dryden Elementary
- Groton Elementary
- South Hill Elementary
- Cayuga Heights Elementary
- Elizabeth Ann Clune Montessori School of Ithaca
- Newfield Elementary
- Trumansburg Elementary
- Immaculate Conception
Also included in this program that have several children are in:
- GIAC
- Summer Camps
- Cayuga Nature Center
- Sciencenter
- Museum of the Earth
For more information about starting a comprehensive environmental program in your school, please visit the Go Green Initiative homepage.
America Recycles Day Contest Winners
On November 3, 2007, Tompkins County celebrated the 10th anniversary of America Recycles Day with a celebration at The Shops at Ithaca Mall.
We would like to CONGRATULATE this year’s contest winners;
Art Winner – Kaitlyn Delgado of Dryden Elementary School
Writing Winner – Kenna White of Dryden Elementary School
Winners received Free Admission tickets to the Sciencecenter for them and their family, a SIGG reusable bottle, and a 100% recycled soda bottle bag filled with recycled surprises.
Congratulations to the winners. Thank you to all the contest participants and thank you to all the organizations that donated prizes.
America Recycles Day Patch Program
This program is offered to students and youth programs grades K-6 that would like to earn a Recycling Patch while helping to save the environment. The activities include brainstorming solutions to 4 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rebuy) and environmental issues, math problems, craft activities, games, and MORE! Activities are grouped together as follows; Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, and Grade 6. Once the program is completed we ask the participants to share their results with us. Program packets can be found by clicking on the links below. Good Luck!
New York Recycles! Poster Contest
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also provides public and private school children and youth organizations with an opportunity to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to recycling and the environment through an annual poster contest. The deadline for the 2008 poster contest will be forthcoming. For more information, please visit the Department of Environmental Conservation's webpage.
