Last school year the Woodland Heights Green Team set a goal to recycle 37,000 lbs. of materials. The group of students, led by Woodland Heights Counselor, Kimber Bennett, surpassed their goal by collecting approximately 42,219 lbs. of cans, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, paper and more.
A recycling trailer was placed on the school campus each Monday and left overnight. Students worked each Tuesday from 2:50 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. to collect and divide the recycling before placing it in the trailer.The Green Team was originally established during the 2008-2009 school year by first-graders, Jordan Roberts and Madison Perry. They approached Bennett with an idea to help the Earth and the Green Team was born.
“The group started with just a few volunteers and evolved into a 20-25 member team,” said Bennett. “The current members have to fill out a two-page application, similar to a job application, complete with essay questions. The students also submit three references pertaining to their personal character, grades, and willingness to work. They must maintain passing grades and have an A/B in behavior as qualifications to be selected for the Green Team.”
The students have the opportunity to discuss the benefits of recycling while also learning how to work as a team. “We met our goal by working together and I learned more about recycling,” stated Green Team member, Sam Donathan. “You can recycle almost anything and it is good for the earth.”
Another member, Kaitlyn Gutierrez, stated, “I think it is important to recycle so the earth is clean and so people can enjoy it for a long time.”
The 2014-2015 Woodland Heights Elementary Green Team consisted of the following students:
Third graders: Ty Tyndol, Persyus Mares, Jenna Harper, Taylor Waldorf, Marisol Rodriquez, Hayden Profitt, Sam Donathon, Molly Oliver, Gavin Burchett, Logan McKibben, Morgan Phipps, Keegan Waldorf, Jaylan Brown, Kayley Shafer, Abbigal Arial, Thomas Stewardson, J.C. Hughes, Jazlyn Hatcher, Tyler Beal, Sinclaire Rodriguez, Sydney Stewart, Austin Edmondson, Kamyrn Williams, Hunter Fulton, Kaitlyn Gutierrez, Olivia Gonzales, Cole Miller, Tristan Rasor, and Shailey Humphries.
Second Grade (Training Team): Ross Strasner, Riley Morton, Kate Tindol, Avery Gomez, Dwayne Lyon, Jordan Freeman, Will Stewardson, Adyson Neal, Sidney Windham, and Easton Judkins.
During the previous year the team collected 35,066 lbs. of materials to recycle with a goal of 30,000 lbs. and with last school year’s results, they have surpassed their goal yet again.
The recycling trailer is scheduled to be at Woodland Heights Elementary again for the 2015-2016 school year, beginning September 1st and ending April 26th. The trailer stays overnight on Mondays for the public to load any recycling and leaves Tuesday by 4:00 p.m.
Bennett also expressed thanks to the following businesses and individuals that contributed to the Woodland Heights Elementary Green Team: Kristi Owen (BHS Environmental Science class), Anthony Garza, Coach Morelock, Aaron Terry, Weldon Wilson Electric, BHS Life Skills Class, and Mr. Prabhu.
Additional photos of the Green Team can be viewed at: www.brownwoodisd.org/whegreenteam.
Pictured above: Jordan Roberts, one of the founding members of the Green Team, is seen with the team as she loads the 37,000th pound!
