IT’S GREEN WEEK AT TEASLEY~~LET’S MAKE OUR PLANET FEEL WONDERFUL! EARTH IS OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY !
*****Monday March 19 is Turn off your lights, and shut off the water day at Teasley to help celebrate Green Week. This small step can have a huge impact on our environment and our resources. By reading and following some of the tips below you can greatly reduce the amount of energy and water used in your home, and reduce your bills too!
Tips to Conserve Energy
Your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20% of your energy bills.
Eco-tip: The average home has 20 electrical appliances that are “energy vampires”, even when powered down!. In the average home, up to 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Energy vampires cost $3 billion a year -- or about $200 per household. To help stop energy vampires, plug appliances into surge protectors that can easily be turned off to cut the flow of energy.
Eco-tip: A laptop computer uses up to 90% less energy than bigger desktop models.
Eco-tip: Nationwide, artificial lighting consumes about 10% of a household's electricity use. Energy-saving, or halogen, incandescent light bulbs are about 25% more efficient and can last up to three times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Eco-tip: Upgrading 15 of the inefficient incandescent light bulbs in your home could save you about $50 per year.
Eco-tip: Controls such as timers and photocells save electricity by turning lights off when not in use. Dimmers save electricity when used to lower light levels.
Eco-tip: LED bulbs are rapidly expanding in household use. ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only about 20%-25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Tips to Conserve Water
Only about 2% of the Earth’s water is fresh water. The rest of it is salt water or frozen. The average American uses approx. 140-170 gallons of water per day.
Eco-tip: Turn off the water while brushing your teeth! You can save up to 8 gallons of water a day simply by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Do the same while you shave.
Eco-tip: When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. Hand washing with the water running can use up to 20 gallons of water.
Eco-tip: Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
Eco-tip: Use a water-efficient or low flow showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
Eco-tip: Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean. You can save up to 25 gallons per month.
Eco-tip: When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather. Eco-tip: Have all your faucets and toilets checked for leaks. A leaky faucet can waste 100 gallons a day.
*****Tuesday March 20 is Waste Free Snacks and Lunches Day at Teasley to help celebrate Green Week! This is not as daunting as it may seem. There are many small changes you can implement at your school to achieve this goal. For example, did you realize that according to USA Today, the average American creates 3.5 pounds of trash each day? Small changes like packing snacks, drinks and lunches in reusable containers can lead to big improvements for the planet.
Tips on Packing Waste Free Snacks and Lunches
Pack sandwiches, chips and other snacks in reusable containers instead of plastic bags.
Pack a cup, water bottle or reusable drink container for water and juice instead of disposable juice boxes.
Pack “self contained” snacks such as apples and bananas.
Pack cloth napkins instead of paper.
Use stainless silverware instead of disposable plastic.
****Wednesday March 21 is Walk to School Day at Teasley to help celebrate Green Week! If it is possible, we are encouraging students to walk to school on Wednesday morning. Walking to school cuts down on traffic and reduces emissions in the air, which helps our atmosphere and our bodies. It is also good exercise and a good way to get yourself moving in the morning. All students that participate in Walk to School Wednesday will receive a certificate of participation. And while it is a good idea to walk to school, it is also a good idea to be safe about it. Below are some tips to stay safe on your walk to school day.
*Please note that we will have volunteers at the cross Walk at Paces Ferry Rd., and West Lane
Tips for a Safe Trip Walking to School
Walk with your parents and stay on a route that you picked out with them.
When you are near the street, don’t ever push, shove or chase anyone.
Be seen! Remember that drivers may not be able to see you well. Always wear bright-colored clothes or something reflective.
Look for traffic! Watch out for cars and trucks at every driveway and intersection on your walk to school.
Cross the street safely! Always stop at the curb or edge of the street first. Look left, right, left, and behind you and in front of you for traffic. Wait until the crosswalk signals you to walk and traffic has completely stopped, and then begin crossing. Walk, don’t run across the street.
Always obey traffic signs, signals and school crossing guards.
****Thursday March 22 is Farm to Table Day at Teasley to help celebrate Green Week. Classes interested in participating will be starting seedlings in their classrooms. In the spring, the seedlings will be transferred and planted into Teasley’s new garden beds that are being installed soon. Children will have the opportunity to watch, and have hands on experience, with watching a plant life grow from the beginning stages. The hope is to soon have a thriving Teasley Garden!
It's surprising to know that many kids don't really know where food comes from. Helping kids understand where food comes from helps them appreciate fresh healthy foods. Gardening is very interactive and engaging activity that excites kids to not only learn more about healthy fresh foods but actually cook and eat them! What better way to show kids how much fun fresh foods are then by letting them plant a garden. It can be as simple as one plant in a single pot or a full designated garden. Either way, kids will enjoy seeing the "fruits" of their labor. Make healthy foods and nutrition fun for kids to learn about. Plant your family’s garden today.
Some Websites to help guide your Garden Needs:
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/planning-your-first-vegetable-garden/
http://www.gardenguides.com/599-starting-first-vegetable-garden.html
Also, if you already have a green thumb, and are interested in helping with Teasley’s School Garden please let us know!!
*****Support our Green programs and we will be selling reusable Teasley water bottles in the morning. Please show your support of protecting and purchase your Teasley Water Bottle. You can cut down on waste and reduce the amount of plastic used in your home by purchasing a Teasely water bottle. They will be available for sale for $5.00.
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