Environmental Stewardship

In 2011, former Head of School Steve Lisk signed the Green School Alliance Pledge to commit the school to environmental stewardship. Throughout the school year and the curriculum, environmental ethics and values are promoted and practiced.  

The school has several gardens to enhance the students’ understanding of ecological, biological, nutritional, and economic concepts.  In our raised vegetable beds, Lower School students pick produce and watch the bugs, while the Upper School biology classes run experiments. Students also observe wildflowers, birds and pollinators in our wetland meadow.  

 

By simply taking lessons outside and looking around with a critical eye, students learn to see and interpret the world around them in a whole new way. Students in Middle School travel to overnight environmental programs, and other grades enjoy field trips to nature sites. In the fall, the entire school participates in Take A Child Outside Week, with classes and activities moving to the outdoors.

 

But eco-learning extends beyond the school gardens and outdoor learning spaces. To promote individual responsibility, The Upper School Green Committee hosts events and initiatives, such as guest speakers, films, plastic reduction, recycling and e-waste disposal.

Almost all of the components of our green initiatives involve the entire school community. Older kids helping out younger kids, parents helping out students, teachers helping out parents: It all builds ties, both within the school and without.