Green Team Helping the Environment

Green Team Helping the EnvironmenT

By Jane Bornhorst
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In February, the Saint Peter’s School “Green Team” worked with students to beautify the school and to provide habitats for small creatures. Parent volunteer, Margaret Giron, and middle school science teacher, Mrs. Kim Caldeira, led the activities.

The Green Team and the Environmental Club for 4th-8th graders, teaches students about ways they can be eco-conscious and increase their classmates’ awareness of the environment around them, the impact they have on it, and how they can become responsible protectors of God’s creations.

Recently, Saint Peter’s School kindergartners created insect hotels, man-made habitats for insects that help them survive in the wild. The students used natural materials to construct them. 

Remi, a kindergartner, said she enjoyed making a tiny home for ladybugs.

First graders built bird houses and decorated the roofs with finger paints. Taylor Fahey said she enjoyed decorating the project. “We got to hang them up for birds to live in,” she said. P.E. teacher Mr. Rob Carlsen assisted in hanging the habitats.

First grader Logan said, “We painted our house a bunch of colors – green, orange, and white.”
Connor Kelley also enjoyed working to build and paint the houses. “I am going to look for mine on the back field. I hope a bird lives there”.

Another recent project led by the Green Team was the painting of colorful steppingstones for the school’s rain garden, created by the Environmental Club earlier in the school year. The garden reuses rainwater and decreases runoff. Creating an attractive outdoor space helps students to appreciate their environment, explained Marget Giron, leader of the Green Team.

This spring, the club is applying for the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Maryland Green Schools Certification. This program gives students educational opportunities that empower them to make changes to reduce environmental impact, practice environmental stewardship, encourage sustainability, and foster environmental literacy.
MAEOE Maryland Green Schools benefit from the instructional support and partnership of Green Centers and Green Leaders. Green Schools have access to an extensive network of partners in their community and statewide resources.