The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Leadership class led green effort
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: May 10, 2007
Milan High School can now add green to its traditional colors of red and black.
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The high school, along with Symons Elementary School, recently became one of the first schools in Washtenaw County to be named a "Green School" by the Michigan Green Schools Commission, a classification awarded to only 18 schools in the state.
To receive the "Green School" award, a school has to demonstrate that it meets at least 10 of 20 criteria, some of which include recycling paper, adopting an endangered species, creating a birdhouse habitat, observing Earth Day and forming an ecology club.
"This is a student version of how to put the environment first," said Milan High School Principal Ron Reed. "These are things that students and teachers can do to answer the question, 'Can we be a better school for the environment?'"
The high school's leadership class, under the guidance of teacher Elaine Briggs, undertook the task of achieving the award.
"It changes your thinking when you realize how the little things we do can change the environment," Briggs said. "It's nice to know you're doing something positive for the environment."
Junior Ian Pendleton and sophomore Maura Donahue spearheaded the effort.
It was no easy endeavor.
The leadership class instituted a schoolwide paper recycling program in February. They raised $65 as part of a campaign to adopt a giant panda in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
They confirmed that the school has an energy savings program overseen by Symons Elementary School teacher and the district's energy manager Kevin Upton, and that the media center maintained updated ecological reference materials.
They also organized a schoolwide assembly on endangered species presented by the Department of Natural Resources and showed the Academy Award-wining documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."
In addition, the students ensured the school has a birdhouse habitat project, and instituted programs to recycle printer cartridges, batteries and cellular telephones. The class also held a poster contest to celebrate Earth Day.
"Milan High School and the leadership class plan to continue our plans to save energy and help with conservation of our natural resources, not only for this certification, but in coming years," wrote Pendleton and Donahue in the Green School application. "It's our goal to make our students good stewards of the Earth to help not only our community, but our world."
The Green Schools Commission will present the high school and Symons with a certificate and a green flag later this month.
Briggs said she couldn't be more proud of her students.
"Whenever you get kids involved like this, I think it's magical," she said.
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