Main Content

Green Ideas: 

What we are doing, what we want to be doing and what we all can do
This is the beginnings of a page that will grow over the next couple of months.  Check back frequently for new content and pictures.   Check out the great cinquain and acrostic poetry from our students. 

  
Why a Green Ideas page on the St. Francis web page?

       There is a doctrine in the Church's teachings known as Social Justice.  In that doctrine it outlines 7 different areas that the church has focused on in it's writings and actions.  The 7th doctrine is titled "Care for God's Creation". It is in this doctrine that the Church is encouraging all Catholics to show respect for the Creator through our stewardship of creation.  We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation. 

What we are doing at St. Francis to help further this part of the Church's doctrine?

    Recycling: We have a school wide recycling program that diverts 6 big blue containers a week out of the local landfill.
     
      Energy Efficiency: All new electrical appliances are purchased with a top energy star rating in mind.  We are actively working to decrease our energy use by turning computers and other electronics off at the power strip.  We are looking to replace our lighting in the East wing, where we have the least efficient fluorescent lighting.  And as budget permits adding sensors to the classrooms that turn lights off and on depending on occupancy of room.  

      Composting: We are turning the majority of our food waste into compost at the back of our playground.  This compost will eventually be used in a new raised garden in the same area.

      Raised Bed Gardening:  We have the beginnings of our raised bed garden in place.  With this garden we will hopefully be able to grow some of the food that is used in our hot lunch program.  Of course the biggest challenge here is growing at times of the year that are non-traditional.  That is where an eventual greenhouse will come in handy. 

      Using Green Cleaning Products:  We are slowly converting the cleaning products we are using around here to natural products that will have a lower impact on our school community. 

       St. Francis Community Members Green Businesses list

Check out this PDF file for members of the St. Francis Green Business Community.  Watch the list grow by checking back every once in a while.  If you wish to be part of the list e-mail your information to Mr. Monga and he will include it here.              /home/CA49709536967368/Green%20business%20St.%20Francis.pdf Green business St. Francis.pdf  326.10 KB  04/22/2010 12:02

        Links to More Green Ideas

 All things recycling - Recycle City

 A Sonoma Valley jewel of environmental stewardship - The Sonoma Ecology Center

 Information about composting for the home - Earth Easy Composting

 PG&E rebates for upgrading or replacing appliances - PG&E rebate center

Earth Day 2010 Celebration:  Pictures and words from the celebration

Set up and run by the student council with support from Mr. Monga and the Going Green elective Earth Day 2010 was a great success.  1/2 the students in family units rotated through a series of 8 "teach in" style stations.  The other 1/2 ate lunch while watching Dr. Suess's The Lorax and then composed an acrostic and cinquain poems.  Below are 5 each of my favorites from our celebration.  For pictures of the day click here. 

    Cinquains

The Earth                                                           The Earth                                                              Earth Day
Is Amazing                                                         Trashed, Destroyed, Dead                                    Help the Planet
We Need To Save It Now                                   We Have to Save the Earth                                  Recycling Can Help
We All Want to Save It, But How?                      Plant Trees, You Won't Regret It, Friend              Reuse, Reduce and Recycle
Let's Help                                                           Help Us!                                                                Save It!
   From the Maaghul Family                                  From the Furne Family                                        From the Gullien Family

Earth Day                                                           Our Planet
Is Where It's At                                                  It's Not Too Late
You Should Recycle More                                    Clean Up After Yourself 
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle                               Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Be Good                                                              Help Earth 
    From the Barker Family                                    From the Stava Family    

     Acrostics

     Earth                                                    Everyone                                                                                      
     No pollution                                         Always
     Vulnerable                                           Reduce, Reuse, Recycle                                           
     Important                                            Together we can make a difference                     
     Oceans in danger                                Have fun with helping the earth!          
     Reduce, reuse, recycle                              From the Denning Family               
     No littering
     My world                                              End Pollution
     Environmentally evolve                        Always protect the environment
     New Energy                                         Reduce, reuse, recycle
     Treat it well                                         Trees are important in our community
        From the Brown Family               Help the environment in anyway you can
                                                                     From the Sanders Family

     Encourage people not to litter             Everyone should recycle
     Always be green                                 Always compost
     Reduce, reuse, recycle                        Reduce, reuse, recycle
     Trash is bad                                        Try to make the earth a better place
     Have fun in protecting the earth        Help the planet and it'll help you :)
     Damaged planets can be restored             From the Piatti-Cosgrove Family
     Always recycle
     Young kids can make a difference              
            From the Mieling Family