Guest Blog: How to Start a Grassroots School Recycling Program

By Greg Ira, Director of Office of Environmental Education

Crumpled paper flies across classroom and barely makes it into the overflowing trash can. As a teacher, what do you do? While it is common practice to toss the paper in the trash where it is later emptied into a dumpster, try stepping outside the box – dispose the crumpled paper in a recycling bin where it can be turned into a new product, like writing paper, newspapers, grocery bags and copy paper.

Recovered paper is a valuable commodity and schools have access to large quantities. According to our latest figures, Floridians generate 7.84 pounds of waste per day. Imagine the amount of waste generated in your classroom alone. If we manage our waste efficiently, we can prevent negative impacts to the environment. By choosing to recycle, we can double the positive impact by extending the life of the product and diverting it from Florida’s landfills.

Your influence as a teacher is important to each student. By teaching students the importance of recycling at school, they can in turn incorporate recycling at home and in their communities.

If your school does not have a recycling program in place, here are some basic steps you can take to get one started:

• Contact a county recycling coordinator – By law, your county is required to provide the opportunity to recycle at least four out of the eight following materials: newspaper, glass, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, steel cans, cardboard, office paper and yard trash. Your local recycling coordinator can provide you with specifics on what materials are accepted in the county program as well as a service provider’s contact information.
• Generate Support and Assign a Coordinator – When formulating a recycling plan, be sure to have the full support of your school administration. Select an enthusiastic coordinator to encourage all faculty and students in the beginning stages of your recycling program. Engaging students in recycling through classroom competitions, daily announcements, rewards or recognitions of personal recycling goals is a great method to enhance your school’s overall recycling efforts.
• Connect to the Curriculum – School recycling programs provide an excellent opportunity for service learning in almost every subject; monitoring or tracking recycling effort and results will employ basic math skills; promoting the program and communicating results will involve language arts; and analyzing the impact on the environment can be tied to science.
• Measure and Monitor – Tracking the results of your recycling efforts is crucial to better assess the areas of your program that need improvement. Areas to measure and monitor include the quantity of paper and percentage of students, classrooms and teachers participating.

These general steps are the foundation for creating a recycling program at your school. Incorporating the program in a smaller school may make it easier to encourage student participation. However, it’s the amount of effort, enthusiasm and encouragement that makes a successful recycling program, not the size of the school.

With the appropriate tools and resources, your school can be on its way to effective recycling. Schools recognized for environmental impact and energy efficiency, healthy school environments, and environmental and sustainable education can be nominated through the Green Ribbon Schools Program led by the U.S. Department of Education.

Be the teacher that makes the difference in your school by protecting Florida’s environment through recycling. For additional recycling education resources for kids and teachers, visit the Office of Environmental Education’s recycling page.

While paper recycling will almost always have a place in schools, reducing the amount of paper used in the first place should be the ultimate goal. There are a wide range of practices to help schools and offices to go paperless. Reducing paper consumption combined with reuse and recycling that which is used should be second nature for any modern school.

Commissioner Bennett: Meeting Florida’s Best and Brightest

What a great start! Our team hit the ground running on the first day and we haven’t slowed down since. In two months, I’ve traveled to sunny Tampa, Bonita Springs, Miami, St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and back around to Tallahassee. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many of our hardworking community members and educators to discuss the important education issues facing our great state. It has been an honor and a privilege to meet the bright minds of Florida’s future – both in classrooms I’ve visited and at student recognition events.

As a former teacher, nothing inspires me more than watching our students succeed in learning. I have been truly impressed with the talented, hard-working, and innovative students I’ve met across the state. In Jacksonville, I joined our state board chair, Gary Chartrand, for the Algebra Nation kickoff event at Andrew Jackson High School. We witnessed students mastering complicated mathematics problems with the help of this online supplemental education program. Algebra Nation is already helping thousands of Floridian students succeed in math classes and is a great example of how technology can enhance student learning success.

I also spoke to our 2013 Sunshine State Scholars, who represent the best and brightest of Florida’s students, about the quality opportunities to seek higher education and STEM-focused careers in Florida. I believe all of us have a duty to recruit our most successful students to our state’s workforce and communities. As we look toward the future, our state will be best served by the talent we develop right here in the heart of Florida.

Throughout my travels, I have learned so much about what matters most to our educators, parents, and students. The most pressing issue that many inquire about is the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This is not a typical standards change for our state, but it is one that is much needed and promises to transform the way our students learn, the way our educators teach, and the talent of our state’s workforce. As we quickly approach the implementation of the CCSS in the 2014-15 school year, I am fully committed to forging strong partnerships to make this a successful transition with a lasting, positive impact on our education system.

Looking ahead, I have already started working alongside our state legislators and Governor Scott on ways to best serve our students. I am encouraged by the genuine interest so many of our elected officials have in the education of our children. They truly understand the importance of providing our students the best educational opportunities as well as the economic impact quality education has on our state.

We owe our students the highest quality education possible and I truly believe implementing the CCSS will help deliver that education.  If we continue to make decisions with the best interest of our children at heart, then we will have done our jobs as officials, educators, parents, and communities. As my favorite TV coach, Eric Taylor, might say, “With clear eyes and full hearts, Florida’s students can’t lose!”

Guest Blog: Celebrating Literacy for a Lifetime

Guest Blog: Celebrating Literacy for a Lifetime

By Kevin Smith

The most valuable lesson I have learned during my career as a teacher and reading coach is that literacy is the biggest predictor of success. Reading is absolutely fundamental to excel in school and in life.

My mother, a dedicated preschool teacher, understood the importance of literacy skills when she instilled a love of reading in her children.  Because of her example, I was able to terrify my dad by sounding out written words at the tender age of two.

Reading comes easy to me, but as I learned in my first year of teaching emotionally-disabled elementary students, learning to read takes determination and practice. While it was a struggle working with students who had little to no support at home, I will never forget the joy I felt watching students sound out words with confidence.

Learning to read begins long before the first day of school. It begins at home. That is why we are travelling around the state in honor of the department’s fifth annual Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!, encouraging parents and teachers to promote early reading.

As a parent, there are many ways you can help your child build lifelong literacy skills. Show your child how important and enjoyable reading is by reading daily. When reading to your child, pick books that include a rich vocabulary.  When your child sees that you enjoy reading, they will model your good behavior.

Create a special reading place at home with a variety of books so even the youngest family members can choose to read. While your child is in diapers, describe activities to them like tying your shoes or cooking dinner. “Daddy is gathering the chicken broth with a ladle and adding it to the linguine in the silver pot.”

Literacy skill building is not only good for your brain it also creates a closer relationship between parent and child. Just remember to make reading fun, and both you and your child will be lifelong readers.

For more information about the department’s efforts to promote reading, visit Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!

Kevin Smith is the Deputy Director of the Just Read, Florida! office and has been a selected as a “Teacher of the Year” for two different schools during his career.

Commissioner Tony Bennett: Blog: Looking At and Beyond the Scoreboard

To say education is a family interest is an understatement. I’ve spent nearly three decades in education as a science teacher and principal as well as district and state superintendent. My wife, Tina, had a successful career as a teacher and high school principal. Also, one of my daughters, Trisha, recently joined the teaching profession and I could not be more proud. I’m sure many Floridians can relate to this background as it is not unusual to have a family full of educators.

In my opinion, our students are best served in education when parents, educators, and communities communicate on issues facing our classrooms. That is why I will not use a top-down approach to Florida’s education reform. I want to hear from all Floridians because we are all stakeholders in our students’ education. My goal is to utilize the best ideas for student success regardless of their origin. The best change comes from collaboration.

Today, I brought out the infamous student achievement scoreboard that I kept outside my office as Indiana’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction. In my new position as Florida’s Commissioner of Education, I will keep the scoreboard up as a constant reminder to me and my colleagues of the importance of accountability in measuring teacher and student success.

Parents should feel confident that when their child graduates from high school he or she will be ready for today’s competitive environment. In turn, teachers should be praised for the tremendous work they do to transform their classrooms into launching pads for success.

I believe that a strong accountability system must be met with a strong network of resources. Over the next few weeks, I will begin working with Florida’s school and community leaders to determine how we can create a seamless education system.

Great things are ahead for Florida’s students, educators, and parents. If we work together we will create an even brighter future for the Sunshine State. I look forward to sharing in this endeavor with all of you and to building a path of success for all Florida students.

School Safety

As a former teacher and principal, I know that creating an environment where learning is fun and stress-free is just as important as the day’s lesson plan. For most children, the classroom is a wonderful place where they can explore and learn, leaving any anxieties behind.

The recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School reminds us that there are people in this world who seek to create an environment of fear by targeting our youngest citizens. No parent should have to worry whether his or her child will make it home at the end of the day.

That is why every school district in our state has developed individual school emergency plans, using local resources and partnerships. Our state’s superintendents create these plans in conjunction with law enforcement officials, parents and teachers. In every plan and during each drill, your child’s safety is our top priority.

While we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of Florida’s classrooms, we need your help to alleviate the fears of students who may have watched coverage of Friday’s shooting. As parents, you not only have to deal with your child’s questions, but also your own emotions.

Here are a few strategies from national crisis intervention associations to help you and your family.

• Minimize television viewing of this event.
• Encourage your children to talk and share their feelings.
• Remain calm as you discuss these events with them and with others.
• Let your children know it’s okay to feel upset.
• Assure your children that they are safe and are taken care of at home and at school.
• Keep in perspective that these events are extremely rare.
• Maintain a normal routine at home.
• Point out the heroic efforts of teachers and first responders.
• Be a good listener.

If your child wants to talk about a traumatic event, it is important to let them. Encourage your children to help those in Newtown, Connecticut, by sending letters of sympathy and concern. Monitor your own reactions to trauma and model good self-care. If your child or teen does not want to talk about it, be careful not to insist, but keep an eye on them for signs of distress.

As we reflect as a nation in aftermath of this terrible shooting, please know that Florida’s educators care deeply about your children, their education, and everyone’s safety.

The following are resources from professional associations to support educators, families, schools and communities in the aftermath of a crisis.

For parents:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Helpful guide to how children react differently to trauma than adults. “Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope after a Disaster or Traumatic Event.”

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Resource guides for parents and caregivers. “Helping Children Cope With Crisis: Care for Caregivers” and “Tips for Teachers and Parents Following School and Community Violence.”

My Florida Families Blog

Blog from the Department of Children and Families. “Helping Kids Cope With Tragedy.”

For educators:

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

Resources for school personnel with individual guidelines for key school personnel (including superintendents and principals).

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

Resource guides for preventing school emergencies.

The National Education Association (NEA)

School Crisis Guide for educators and administrators about how to respond to a school crisis, including providing advice for educator and parents on addressing these incidents with students in an age appropriate way.

Making the Moments Count

Throughout November, we have been raising awareness about how important parents are to their children’s academic success. But, it wouldn’t be fair to talk about what parents should do and not acknowledge the challenges they face to stay involved.

Last week, I met with four parents from different backgrounds who shared both their accomplishments and struggles when it comes to being involved parents. I was deeply moved when Tamara, a working mom of one, told us how she was determined not to let her sudden job loss affect her relationship with her daughter. Tamara’s new job often requires night and weekend hours, limiting their quality time together.

Tamara Austin talks with Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart during a Parental Involvement Round Table.

But Tamara is resourceful. When she can’t be involved in the classroom, she works with her daughter’s teachers over email and by phone. And, when she’s at home, she lets Lauren choose their activity.

Natalie’s life also changed dramatically this year when she and her husband decided to transition all five of their children to public school. As a long-time homeschooler, Natalie is hands-on with her children’s education, but felt that choosing public school would allow her to spend more quality “mom” time.

She still volunteers in each child’s classroom, but admits that it gets harder once your child is in high school. “Now we just take the moments that we have.”

Doug, a working dad of one, shared with the group that he often has to be persistent when it comes to staying involved with his daughter’s education. He found eating dinner every night as a family keeps them connected.

Our fourth participant, Allison, said that she tries to encourage her three children’s educational pursuits, no matter how gross they might be. She kept us all laughing as she detailed her daughter’s love of bugs.

But, the most poignant moment came at the end of our discussion when I asked Allison about her current struggle to get information about her son’s progress in school. “I remind myself that this is my child and I will do whatever I have to do to help him succeed,” she said.

As we come to another important holiday this week, I am reminded by these four incredible parents that we have so much to be thankful for. At my family’s Thanksgiving dinner, when it is my turn to share what I am thankful for, I will be thinking about Florida’s incredible educators and the millions of dedicated parents who support them.

On behalf of the Florida Department of Education, I want to wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.

To view the video, click here.

The Most Unusual Day

One of the greatest joys of my job is visiting schools where I can witness remarkable achievements happening in our education system. Today was a great example as I visited an elementary school in Miami-Dade.  I arrived at Norwood Elementary School where Principal Dr. Kevin Williams convened a school assembly in recognition of learning gains for alternative assessment children and overall high achievement for all students at the school. Unbeknownst to Dr. Williams, he was actually planning for his own recognition ceremony.  During the school assembly the Milken Family Foundation honored and stunned Dr. Williams with a Milken Educator Award.

This is one of education’s most prestigious awards and comes with a no-strings attached cash prize of $25,000. Needless to say, the school assembly was roaring with enthusiasm and affection for a man who has profoundly transformed the lives of so many students, teachers, parents, and community leaders.  It was a true honor to be a part of this celebration.

As I travel around the state and visit schools I will continue to share my experiences and examples of best practices so together we make sure Florida students have the support they need to succeed.