Jackson Elementary Launches GreenThink

In an effort to implement positive change and further environmental learning at Jackson Elementary in north Atlanta, the school is launching Jackson GreenThink this Earth Day, April 22. The program, brainchild of parents Penny Simmons and Leigh Ann Livaditis, will introduce children to the concept of being eco-friendly with green changes within the school that can translate to the home and community as well.

Earlier this year, a schoolwide assembly was held featuring Magic Debbie, a local childrens' entertainer, who helped kick off the school's expansive recycling program with the magic words: "Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!" Separation bins were dispersed throughout classrooms and common areas. The focus includes paper, aluminum cans, plastic PET bottles, as well as crayons, ink cartridges and cell phones. To date, it's estimated that 1/3 of Jackson's typical waste has been diverted from landfills, thanks to the support of students, faculty, and several recycling companies (Pratt and Newell) that have partnered with the school.

Other activities include: Recycling Pledges from all students describing how they will be kind to the earth, participation in Keep Georgia Beautiful program, re-use of small throw-away objects pressed into sculptures for the Jackson gardens, a "No Idle Zone" for all buses and carpool lines to cut pollutants and save gas, updating cafeteria menu items and janitorial supplies with organic options, a compost pile for lunch waste, rain barrels to collect water for landscaping, lights off or down on designated days, GreenThink re-usable shopping bag sales, a commemorative Earth Day tree planting of 17 Dogwoods and Cherry trees along the school's entrance by Roots and Shoots, Jackson's community service program...and a special fund raising tie-in with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles™ magazine, also committed to the cause.

"We've made great strides already, but this is just the beginning," explained Penny Simmons, co-founder. "The response from our parent volunteers and teachers has been incredible, and our committee has quickly acted on brainstorming, research, proposals, implementations, and introductions to an arsenal of like-minded community partners. The kids are gaining global awareness on an issue where they can immediately effect change. And they're really rallying – and proud – to do it!"

Jackson GreenThink also reinforces the International Baccalaureate (IB) designation which the school was awarded in 2007, designed to foster the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world at large. "Ultimately, GreenThink is another win-win for Jackson," remarked Leigh Ann Livaditis, co-founder. "We're protecting our kids' physical and environmental health while helping them to think critically, make smarter choices, and responsibly grow the seeds this program is planting."