Make Us Your Recycling Rockstars! (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Make Us Your Recycling Rockstars!

Classroom project requested by Ms. H. on Oct 28, 2008

Ms. H.'s Classroom

High Poverty

New York (City)

Where is the classroom located?

"Help us protect the environment. Give us recycling bins and we'll give you trees!

I am a sixth grade technology teacher at a Title I school. Our schools' students are very talented and strive to excel, despite the many obstacles they face. We aim to provide our students the best education possible,..." more»

"Help us protect the environment. Give us recycling bins and we'll give you trees!

My students want to feel like they are making a positive contribution to their world. They are often talking about environmental problems and want to do something to help. This grant would give us the supplies we need--bins for every classroom and office and collection stations for every floor, including the school cafeteria--to have a successful student-run school-wide recycling program. Students will feel proud of doing something to reduce deforestation and their carbon footprint. They will also feel empowered to work toward making our school, and the world, more green.

In my classroom, students are learning about how to be responsible, active citizens. They have written letters to our Mayor asking for support in making schools more environmentally responsible. We'll use our recycling program to learn the capabilities of Excel to organize data, as we track our recycling collection as part of EPA's Waste Wise program. We'll also create our own podcasts and videos on recycling that we’ll publish on the web. I will support this program by starting an Environmental Club as a volunteer because there are no funds for school-based after school programs.

The vast majority of what our school is sending to landfills and incinerators is recyclable. We want to divert all of that recyclable waste so it will be made into something else! (We also want to follow recycling laws!) Help us get recycling bins and we’ll become your recycling rockstars! We promise to save trees and teach each other how to be lifelong environmental stewards. hide»

My students need 63 assorted recycling containers. details»

Jul 2, 2009 Gabriela T a volunteer at donorschoose.org

Packaged the thank-you letters written by Ms. H.'s students and sent them on to the eligible donor(s).

Jun 26, 2009 Ms. H. the Teacher

Bigger Photos

Reply to the classroom

Dear Proud Dad, Jason, O'Neil Family, Jean, Sarah, Isuru, Calvin, janice, Beth, catherine, Janice, Tom, Friends and Family Match and Anonymous Donor,

I wish our students could give you a tour of our recycling program and thank you in person. It has been an incredible year -- and very much thanks to your generous support! As my sixth grade students' technology teacher, I chose to focus on a project this year that would not only help them learn technology, but also teach them about their propensity to identify something in their community that they wish to change and facilitate them doing it successfully.
When we started learning about recycling my students didn't know what it was and didn't really care. We embarked on a long journey of studying environmental issues and through our growing understanding, we decided to take on the huge project of launching a school-wide student-run recycling program. Many students were skeptical that we wouldn't be able to get recycling supplies for the entire building or get other students and teachers to recycle, but we wrote grants, held bake sales, gave recycling presentations and before we knew it, our program had taken center stage. As my students would say, "We were rockin' it!"

All of our school's students are now recycling and many of Green Teamers (from every grade) have launched recycling programs in their homes and apartment buildings. Students really take pride in our program and defend it with honor (Don't even try to throw out recycling in front of them!).

We, and future generations in particular, are faced with very serious environmental challenges. I feel it is my responsibility to help my students grow into environmental awareness and incite a passion for finding solutions. Thank you for helping me with this effort.

With gratitude,
Ms. H.

Reply to the classroom

Apr 21, 2009 Jenni D a staff member at donorschoose.org

Purchased the supplies for Ms. H.'s classroom and notified the school principal of delivery.

Apr 21, 2009 Ms. H. the Teacher

Dear Proud Dad, Jason, O'Neil Family, Jean, Sarah, Isuru, Calvin, janice, Beth, catherine, Janice, Tom, Friends and Family Match and Anonymous Donor,

Thank you for supporting our school's recycling project. We are ready to begin our full-scale recycling program as soon as our bins arrive! My students understand the importance of recycling after a year of studying it and related issues like global warming, so I'm sure we will have a very successful program. It just so happens that we are gearing up for Earth Day and our recycling materials' arrival will be very timely. But really, everyday is Earth Day at our school!

In addition to basic recycling, we have started recycling cartridges and electronic devices. We have also written a grant to start an outdoor classroom! Our dreams to go green are very big and by supporting us, you have helped them feel tangible.

Thank you again for believing in us. We promise to pick up the tempo as your recycling rockstars!
With gratitude,
Ms. H.

Reply to the classroom

Apr 1, 2009 DonorsChoose.org

Good news: Project fully funded!

Apr 1, 2009 Beth from West Peoria, IL

"It's so important to teach our children about protecting the environment, from as early an age as possible. What a great idea to let these students know that they can help make a difference for our planet!"

Mar 2, 2009 Friends and Family Match gave

Mar 2, 2009 Sarah gave

Mar 2, 2009 Janice from Long Beach,

"I gave to this project because...recycling is good for the planet and learning about it is good for the kids."

Mar 2, 2009 Tom

"I gave to this project because a good friend introduced me to it!"

Mar 2, 2009 Friends and Family Match gave

Mar 1, 2009 Friends and Family Match gave

Feb 28, 2009 Friends and Family Match gave

Feb 28, 2009 Proud Dad from Roseburg, OR

"I gave to this project because Ms. H's Mom and I are inspired by the incredible work our daughter does with young hearts and minds. We want to support her blooming rock stars and their ability to make their world, and ours, a better place. Rock Steady, Rock Hard and Rock On! "

Feb 28, 2009 Isuru

"I gave to this project because... Recycling Rocks, and so do you!"

Feb 28, 2009 Friends and Family Match gave

Feb 27, 2009 Jason from Eugene, OR

"So Ms H and her students can continue making the world a better place."

Feb 27, 2009 O'Neil Family from Bronxville, NY

"I gave to this project because...our whole family see's the importance of Mrs. H's work. "

Feb 27, 2009 Jean from New York, NY

"Learning by doing recycling is a great way to understand how you impact the planet and other peoples lives! Rock on!"

Feb 27, 2009 Calvin gave from Richmond, CA

Feb 17, 2009 Calvin from Richmond, CA

"It is so important to lessen our impact on the environment."

Dec 31, 2008 A donor gave supporting Ken "Munson" Gordon

Dec 28, 2008 janice

"I gave to this project because...everyone need to help with recycling and as it is said a little child should lead you and these kids are our future, so Rockstars,, rock on and turn everything to Green again ,Rockstars Ready , Set Recycle."

Dec 10, 2008 catherine supporting The N

"I gave to this project because...you all deserve it......."

Nov 2, 2008 Ryan G an associate at donorschoose.org

Verified the cost of the requested supplies and posted this project.

Oct 30, 2008 Catherine T a volunteer at donorschoose.org

Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.

Please notify our staff of any messages or photos of concern.

Oct 28, 2008Ms. H. - Teacher

Project Details

Materials	Vendor	Price	#	Total
23 GALLON UNTOUCHABLE SQUARE RECYCLING CONTAINER Rubbermaid Untouchable Recycling Waste Containers	Quill	$56.69	5	$283.45
15"H X 14 1/4 D X 11 3/8 W Rubbermaid Recycling Container; Wastebasket, 28-1/8 Quart	Quill	$5.84	50	$292.00
BRUTE RL OUT RECYCLING CNTNR W/ LID 50 GL BLUE Rubbermaid Brute Rollout Recycle Container with Lid	Quill	$116.99	2	$233.98
TALL ROUND RECYCLING RECEPTACLE CAN Safco Tall Round Recycling Can Receptacle	Quill	$89.99	6	$539.94

Vendor Shipping Charges				$134.94
State Sales Tax				$0.00
3rd Party Payment Processing Fee				$33.73
Fulfillment Labor & Materials				$17.00
Project Cost Excluding Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$1,535.00
Optional Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$336.95
Project Cost Including Donation to Support DonorsChoose.org				$1,871.95
14 Donors				-$1,861.58
To Go				$10.37