Like any new skill, it takes practice to learn how to recycle and compost correctly. Peter Kirk Elementary Custodian Paul Bowler helps students learn this important habit beginning in kindergarten. The task can be challenging because the school does not have a cafeteria. Students eat in their classrooms.

Bowler organizes a group of committed students to help. “We have more kids sign up to volunteer than we need,” Bowling said. On a recent afternoon, two fifth-graders were helping first-graders sort their lunch waste into the correct bins while Bowler helped the kindergarten classes.

Peter Kirk has been a King County Green School since 2015. Parent Stephanie Lecovin helps the school complete Green School activities, such as a waste audit in the fall. The audit found just a few items – less than 5 percent – were sorted incorrectly. Bowler and Lecovin were recognized with a King County Earth Heroes at School award on May 3.

Two other LWSD schools were also represented at the awards ceremony:

Environmental and Adventure School (EAS) parent Veronica Knight
Working a full-time job and parenting three children does not stop parent Veronica Knight from volunteering at EAS, where she teaches students to be green. Once a week, she’s in the middle school lunchroom helping students sort recyclable and compostable materials from their waste. Through her weekly interactions with students, she has mentored them in resource conservation – a practice they will maintain and share throughout their lives.

Tesla STEM High School Student Green Team
In addition to helping Tesla STEM High School become a Level One King County Green School, the student Green Team conducted waste audits and calculated the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that could be reduced by composting. The team created an initiative to encourage schools to commit to reducing carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.