Meet the DOE’s Director of Sustainability Ozgem Ornektekin!

   Join us on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 for the

UFT Green Schools Committee Monthly Meeting

   Co-chairs: Coquille Houshour & Micki Josi

Agenda:

4:30 – 4:55    School Recycling Setup

by Mary Most, NYC Department of Sanitation

5:00 – 6:00  

1.     Brief Introductions

2.     DOE Sustainability Committee Presentation by

-John Shea, Chief Executive Officer, DOE Division of School Facilities

-Ozgem Ornektekin, Director of Sustainability, DOE Division of School Facilities

3.   Green Schools Alliance’s Green Cup Challenge Presentation      

6:00 – 6:30    Earth Day Event Subcommittee Planning

Join a subcommittee:

                Recycling and Waste Chairs:  Shannon Buckley-Shaklee and Juliana Germak

             Compost and Gardening Chair: Alison Croney

                School Food Chair: TBD

            SOS (Styrofoam Out of Schools) Chair: Debby Lee Cohen

                Environmental Education Chair:  TBD

                Sustainable Energy Chair:  TBD

Where:            UFT – 52 Broadway, New York, NY 10004   -  212.598.7772

Please RSVP: uftgreenschools@uft.org

Mark your calendar and join us for all our monthly meetings:

1/19/10, 2/23/10, 3/16/10, 4/22/10, 5/18/10, 6/15/10

The UFT Green Schools Committee was established to help realize successful school recycling programs in all NYC schools. Join our Leadership Team to envision school sustainability.   Find out more about our committee and other professional committees at http://www.uft.org/member/committees/                   Join us on facebook!

Greetings!

Check out this article on our activities... GO TEAM!

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/teachers-nyc-students-recycle.html

This message was sent to me recently and I found it fascinating!!       Subject NWF Report:  How an "indoor childhood" affects classroom performance         (1)                                                                           

Dear Colleagues,

As American childhood has steadily moved indoors in the past 12 to 15
years, outdoor play is increasingly rare.   The weekly indoor-outdoor
time ratio is now about 10 to one on the indoor side.   We wondered what
effect this modern "indoor childhood" is having on the quality of K-12
education and the average student's readiness to learn in the classroom.

In this back-to-schools time period -- Research shows children are less
fit, have shorter attention spans and are less ready to be
high-performance learners without a greater emphasis on regular outdoor
time such as a daily Green Hour.

Our new NWF report: Time Out: Using The Outdoors to Enhance Classroom
Performance is available at:
http://www.nwf.org/nwfwebadmin/binaryVault/Time%20Out%20with%20BOT%20Activities1.pdf

Best,

Kevin C.
 (See attached file: Time Out Press Release 9-2-09.doc)

Great news!!  Educating Tomorrow has made arrangement with the director of Garbage Dreams to make available FREE tickets for students to see the film on Friday, July 31st at 1:55PM.  Please send the information to any students you think might be interested.  They need to register at the link: GARBAGE DREAMS Screening at the IFC Center Logo

We hope that the director will be able to join us at this screening for a Q & A.  Also, we are working with them develop curriculum for teachers, so we'd be very interested to hear your feedback and ideas for classroom use of the film, so if you are able to attend any of the screening, please email your thoughts to info@garbagedreams.com.

"GARBAGE DREAMS" TO BE FEATURED  IN THE 2009 DOCUWEEKS SHOWCASE.  DOCUWEEKS provides the theatrical runs that qualify documentaries for Oscar consideration. (Click here for more info about 2009 Docuweeks) GARBAGE DREAMS will play at  the IFC Center in New York City from July 31st - August 6th  and at the Arclight in Los Angeles from August 14th - 20th. "GARBAGE DREAMS is a moving story of young men searching for ways to eke out a living for their families and facing tough choices as they try to do the right thing for the planet. Mai Iskander guides us into a 'garbage village,' a place so different from our own, and yet the choices they face there are so hauntingly familiar. Ultimately, GARBAGE DREAMS makes a compelling case that modernization does not always equal progress."  -- AL GORE         ____________________________________________________________________________________ "GARBAGE DREAMS" DOCUWEEKS SCREENINGS AND LOCATIONS NY: IFC CENTER                                                         LA: ARCLIGHT HOLLYWOOD Fri, July 31th - 1:55 PM & 7:35 PM*                    Fri, Aug 14th - 2:05 PM & 7:45 PM* Sat, Aug 1st -  3:30 PM & 9:40 PM *                  Sat, Aug 15th - 3:50 PM & 9:45 PM* Sun, Aug 2nd - 12:00 PM & 5:10 PM*               Sun, Aug 16th - 12:00 PM & 5:40 PM* Mon, Aug 3rd - 1:55 PM & 7:35 PM*                    Mon, Aug 17th - 2:05 PM & 7:45 PM Tue, Aug 4th - 3:30 PM & 9:40 PM                        Tue, Aug 18th - 3:50 PM & 9:45 PM Wed, Aug 5th - 12:00 PM & 5:10 PM                  Wed, Aug 19th - 12:00 PM & 5:40 PM Thu, Aug 6th - 12:00 PM & 5:10 PM*                  Thu, Aug 20th - 12:00 PM & 5:40 PM *Filmmaker will be attending Q & A session after the screening Click Here To Buy Tickets Online To inquire about group rate (10 people and more) available at IFC in New York, please contact 212 924 6789 or email Chris Wells. ______________________________________________________________ GARBAGE DREAMS follows three teenage boys born into the trash trade and growing up in the world's largest garbage village, on the outskirts of Cairo.  It is the home to 60,000 Zaballeen, Arabic for "garbage people." Far ahead of any modern "Green" initiatives, the Zaballeen survive by recycling 80 percent of the garbage they collect. When their community is suddenly faced with the globalization of its trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community.  ______________________________________________________________ To view press or download press kit  go to www.garbagedreams.com

"GARBAGE DREAMS" TO BE FEATURED IN THE 2009 DOCUWEEKS SHOWCASE.

DOCUWEEKS provides the theatrical runs that qualify documentaries for Oscar consideration.

GARBAGE DREAMS will play at the IFC Center in New York City from July 31st - August 6th

"GARBAGE DREAMS is a moving story of young men searching for ways to eke out a living for their families and facing tough choices as they try to do the right thing for the planet. Mai Iskander guides us into a 'garbage village,' a place so different from our own, and yet the choices they face there are so hauntingly familiar.
Ultimately, GARBAGE DREAMS makes a compelling case that modernization does not always equal progress."  -- AL GORE
      
__________________________________________________________________

"GARBAGE DREAMS" DOCUWEEKS SCREENINGS AND LOCATIONS

NY: IFC CENTER                                           
Fri, July 31th - 1:55 PM & 7:35 PM            
Sat, Aug 1st -  3:30 PM & 9:40 PM                  
Sun, Aug 2nd - 12:00 PM & 5:10 PM             
Mon, Aug 3rd - 1:55 PM & 7:35 PM                 
Tue, Aug 4th - 3:30 PM & 9:40 PM                 
Wed, Aug 5th - 12:00 PM & 5:10 PM             
Thu, Aug 6th - 12:00 PM & 5:10 PM           
______________________________________________________________

GARBAGE DREAMS follows three teenage boys born into the trash trade and growing up in the world's largest garbage village, on the outskirts of Cairo.  It is the home to 60,000 Zaballeen, Arabic for "garbage people." Far ahead of any modern "Green" initiatives, the Zaballeen survive by recycling 80 percent of the garbage they collect. When their community is suddenly faced with the globalization of its trade, each of the teenage boys is forced to make choices that will impact his future and the survival of his community.
______________________________________________________________

To view press or download press kit go to www.garbagedreams.com

Please check out the video Mitchel Porcelen, a Special Education Teacher from MS 51 
in Brooklyn made with his students at the end of the school year. 
The focus is on climate change, air quality, and pollution reduction. 
The more hits they get, the more funding they get for the next project. 
Please also pass along the link to interested people. 
 
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/less-cars-better-air-nyc/

“Sustainability Starts At School”

Join us for the
UFT Green Schools Committee monthly meeting.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
   
Who:        Anyone interested in “greening” NYC schools

What:    Agenda:   
- Reflections on this year’s work
- Planning for next year
- Join the leadership team

When:      Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Snacks & Networking 4:00-4:30pm
Meeting 4:30–6:30pm

Where:    UFT Headquarters 
50 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Please RSVP: uftgreenschools@uft.org

The UFT Green Schools Committee was established to help realize successful school recycling programs in all NYC schools. Come and join our Leadership Team: Micki Josi, Coquille Houshour, Patrick Hess, Jacqulyn Bodenmiller, Shannon Buckley-Shaklee, Juliana Germak, Hope Kitts, Mitchell Porcelyn, Jonathan Pereira and Justlin LeWinter to envision the sustainability in our schools. 

Find out more at http://www.uft.org/member/committees/.

Check out our article in the New York Teacher:

http://www.uft.org/news/teacher/around/how_green_is_your_school/

Plus John Shea of the DOE's School Facilities is coming to our next meeting:  Tuesday, May 19th (see attached)

“Sustainability Starts At School”

Join us for the
UFT Green Schools Committee monthly meeting.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
   
Who:        Anyone interested in “greening” NYC schools

What:    Agenda:   
- Partnering with the DOE Sustainability Committee
- Recycling Coordinator Position
- Training for Custodians & Recycling Coordinators
- Storage & Collection Issues
- Recycling Supplies
- Environmental Education
- Green Schools Alliance Pledge
- Community Service

When:      Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Snacks & Networking 4:00-4:30pm
Meeting 4:30–6:30pm

Where:    UFT Headquarters 
50 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Please RSVP: uftgreenschools@uft.org

The UFT Green Schools Committee was established to help realize successful school recycling programs in all NYC schools. Come and join our Leadership Team: Micki Josi, Coquille Houshour, Patrick Hess, Jacqulyn Bodenmiller, Shannon Buckley-Shaklee, Juliana Germak, Hope Kitts, Mitchell Porcelyn, Jonathan Pereira and Justlin LeWinter to envision the sustainability in our schools. 

Find out more at http://www.uft.org/member/committees/.

3^rd Thursday Forum:

Greening Your School: From Green Roofs to Recycling

Date:

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Time:

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Pricing:

$10 suggested donation

Reservations: send to bcueinfo@bcue.org or call 718-788-8500 x263. Reservations encouraged online (eventbrite link to be posted on site)

Partners:

Alive Structures

Arturo Garcia-Costas/ NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

CUE

Cloud Institute

Blurb:

Join this crash course on greening your school from the issues you’ll encounter installing a green roof, to creative ways of incorporating sustainability themes into the classroom.  Join local experts to discuss easy to implement projects, ways of getting environmental projects funded, opportunities for nonprofit partnerships, and what has (and hasn’t) worked in local schools.

Location:

Center for the Urban Environment, 168 7 Street, Brooklyn, NY (Garden Room)

Aisha Glover

Director, Public Affairs

Center for the Urban Environment

168 7 Street

Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-788-8500 x260

718-499-3750- fax

www.bcue.org

What’s New:

Click here to support our programs and make a tax-deductible donation to CUE.

Click here to view all our newest educational programs in the CUE Catalog.

    
    WORM COMPOST WORKSHOP

You can recycle food waste in your classroom or at home with WORMS…
Fun, Educational & Environmentally Friendly….
Did you know that all food waste and biodegradable items that end up in a landfill do not become compost to benefit the earth’s soil since they are not exposed to the right conditions to break down?  Plus, they produce methane gas, a leading cause of global warming.  We can fix all of that by composting!

Who:    Brooklyn Botanic Garden Master Composter Ms. Josi will present this workshop for all interested teachers, parents & kids.

What:     Join us at MS 447 – The Math and Science Exploratory School to learn about setting up a worm bin to compost in your classroom or at home and get your hands dirty harvesting a worm bin.  It’s a fun way to teach kids about compost, worms, waste management, science and gardening.

When:         Thursday, April 2, 4-6pm 

Where:         MS 447 – Math & Science Exploratory School
        345 Dean Street (Room 437A) Brooklyn, NY 11217

Why:     To learn about Vermicomposting (Worm Composting), socialize & eat yummy snacks

Cost:     The Workshop is FREE.
At the workshop you can obtain a coupon to buy your own worm bin and one-pound of red worms to start your own worm compost.

PLANNING TO ATTEND?
For questions or to sign up, contact Micki Josi at mjosi@ms447.org
PLEASE RSVP if you plan to attend since space is limited. 

Feel free to bring food scraps (raw fruits & veggies) to feed the worm and/or a Tupperware container to bring home compost.

To Learn More about Composting Visit: http://www.nyccompost.org/ or www.bbg.org/compost

This event is cosponsored by MS 447 and Educating Tomorrow.

We believe our schools must take the lead in moving toward a greener future by providing our children and future leaders with an environmental education and exemplary environmental programs, such as school recycling. Find out more at www.educatingtomorrow.org.

We hope to see you at our next monthly meeting, "Together We Make Schools Green".
   
Who: Anyone interested in "greening" NYC schools (You will come away with something you can do to help!)

What:
-    Finalize plans for our April 22, 2009 Earth Day event
-    Network with other people interested in school recycling, compost, gardening, & waste reduction
-    Discuss Strategies for accomplishing short-term goals
-    Sub-Committee Updates

When: Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 4:30–6:00pm

Where:
UFT Headquarters 
50 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Room G

RSVP: uftgreenschools@uft.org

*Join us for a workshop for teachers on how to compost with worms in schools on May 5, 4:30-6:30 PM. The workshop will be led by Brooklyn Botanic Garden Master Composters using Brooklyn Botanic Garden workshop curriculum and materials. All participating teachers will receive a coupon to purchase one pound of red wiggler worms and a worm condo at a discounted price of $40. The workshop is part of the New York Compost Project, which aims to divert compostable materials from our waste stream., shoot us an email at uftgreenschools@uft.org.

**Also, PLEASE POST the attached meeting flyer and and our Committee flyer at your school. Thanks for your help!

The UFT Green Schools Committee was established to help realize successful school recycling programs in all NYC schools. We have a great Leadership Team: Micki Josi, Coquille Houshour, Patrick Hess, Matt Sheenan, Eileen Foster, Jacqulyn Bodenmiller, Shannon Buckley-Shaklee, Juliana Germak, Hope Kitts, Mitchell Porcelyn, Jonathan Pereira and Justlin LeWinter.

Find out more at http://www.uft.org/member/committees/.

If you are interesting in coming to my place for a workshop on worm composting and to enjoy a potluck... email me directly for the info at micki@educatingtomorrow.org

Parents for Climate Protection * is excited to present our 3rd Annual House Party for parents and children with panel discussion followed by an "arts and crafts" letter writing activity. (People unaccompanied by children are welcome, too!)
As in previous years, several amazing experts will share their knowledge on climate change with our attendees. *
*
*Professor Allen Frei, Ph.D., climatologist at Hunter College and CUNY, and Deputy Director of the Sustainable Cities Institute
*Jackson Morris,* Air and Energy Associate, Environmental Advocates of New York
*Amy Larkin** *Solutions Director, National Greenpeace
*
For the crafts activity, we provide all the materials necessary for the attendees to write letters to their elected officials on the urgent need for federal legislation limiting greenhouse gas emissions.  We encourage families to work together with children creating beautiful nature collages and parents adding a message on their behalf.  If you just want to come to hear the presentations and ask questions, that's perfectly fine as well.
Date: Sunday, January 25th, 3:00 p.m.
General location:  South Slope

Please e-mail to rsvp and obtain the address: nyclaudia@earthlink.net <mailto:nyclaudia@earthlink.net>

Happy Holidays!
Claudia
Parents for Climate Protection
www.climateactivism.org <http://www.climateactivism.org>

New York’s century-old water system faces new challenges as it stretches to meet the needs of a growing city. Can we ensure a supply of fresh water indefinitely? How can we reuse so-called “grey” water, and how can we keep sewage overflow out of the rivers?

Emily Lloyd, former commissioner of New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, will discuss what her agency is doing to clean up New York’s waterways and upgrade its water system with Paul Mankiewicz, expert on wastewater and president of the Gaia Institute; Alex Matthiessen, Hudson Riverkeeper and president of Riverkeeper; and Christine Holowacz, co-chair, Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks and Planning. Presented in conjunction withGrowing and Greening New York: PlaNYC and the Future of the City.

WHAT:     From Faucet to Flush: The Future of New York's Water System
WHEN:     6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 15th  
WHERE:   The Museum of the City of New York (1220 5th Ave. at 103rd Street, Manhattan)

Reservations required, to RSVP call 212.534.1672, ext. 3395, or email programs@mcny.org

Tickets: $5 when you mention Environmental Advocates of New York; $9 general admission. 

“Collaborating On-line:
Together We Make Schools Green”

Join us for Educating Tomorrow and
the UFT Green Schools Committee monthly meeting.
   
Who:        People interested in “greening” NYC schools
What:       Network; take part in a discussion on collaborating on-line with a “green” community, plus we  will hear from CENYC's Teen Speakers Bureau, a group of high schools students will present on what they do to get the message out about school recycling.
When:      Tuesday, December 16, 4–6:00pm
(networking from 4-4:30)
Where:    UFT Headquarters 
50 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Please RSVP: info@educatingtomorrow.org

Coquille Houshour & Micki Josi founded Educating Tomorrow to help realize successful school recycling programs in all NYC schools. They are working with other teachers to form a UFT Green Schools Committee. Find out more at www.educatingtomorrow.org.

"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead

K-12 educators from schools in Mott Haven or East Harlem who teach energy-related topics can enter the Con Edison Teacher Challenge by submitting a lesson plan incorporating the teaching of energy within their subject areas. Winners and their schools will receive cash prizes. Applications are available at www.TeacherChallenge.org. The deadline is December 1. For more information, contact Dr. Ray Ann Havasy or JoAnn Williams at www.cstl.org or (516) 764-0045.

You can bring the zoo to your school with a visit from Wildlife Theater from the Central Park Zoo. This program will highlight actions students can utilize to make a positive impact on wildlife conservation. These interactive 30-45 minute programs that can take place in auditoriums or classrooms are designed for students in grades pre-K-5. Wildlife Theater covers environmental science using puppets, theater, and music for a fun and unique educational experience. All Title I Schools receive a 10% discount on the program. For additional information, call (212) 439-6540, e-mail asaltz@wcs.org, or visit www.wcs.org/wildlifetheater.