“Green School”

2004 -2006 Theme

2006-2008

Green School's Committee

Presentation of the Green Flag 21st. May 2008

Winning slogan from the School competition.

WOW progress from September 2006 to March 2008

Moira Byrne Environmental Offices, Wicklow County Council been shown around the school by Sean & Patrick – April 11th 2008.

Winning slogan from the Green School Code competition.

Why walk to school?

Health
Encouraging children to switch from car transport to walking or cycling is a very effective way of promoting a healthier lifestyle as it involves regular exercise becoming part of the daily routine.

Social
Studies have shown that children who walk to school have a better understanding of their community. Surveys in the U.K. indicate that students who walk to school are more alert and more focused when they arrive in class.

Environment
Global warming is the most serious environmental problem that we face. Closer to home cars produce most of local air pollution. Contact with air pollution is higher for those sitting in cars than for those walking on the side of the street as the inflow of air in a car is coming from the level of the exhaust of the car in front.

Traffic Congestion
Using alternatives to the car for commuting reduces traffic congestion, making the community cleaner, safer and more stress free for everyone.

Safety
Ironically the more parents choose to drive to school the less safe our streets become for our children. One of the greatest risks for our children going to school is traffic congestion at the school entrance, which affects both car users and others arriving at school.

Best class walking to school this week – winners of the golden Boot this week 25th-29th February 2008

Overall WOW winners fo January 2008
5th. Class Ms Quinn's.

Best class walking to school this week – winners of the golden Boot this week 28th January 2008

 

Green Schools Recycling Project January 2008

The Green Schools Committee is pleased to announce a new system in St. Joseph’s to further the cause of recycling in our school. We have set up two Recycling Centres in the school which presently takes paper and card. These centres are in the P.E. Hall and the Computer Room. Each class has a recycling box and two volunteers who undertake to bring their full box to one of our two centres. We are very grateful to parent, Mrs. Mary Condren, who has volunteered to collect our paper and card regularly and bring it to the Recycling Centre in town. The volunteers in each class are as follows:-

6th Ms. Dalton Carol Victoria	Ms. Power Sean Vincent	Ms. Murphy Aimee Oisin
5th Ms. Kennedy Katie Hazal	Ms. Finn Patrick Cian D	Ms. Quinn Darren Jacqueline
4th Mrs. Kennedy Beverly Ciara	Ms. Byrne Eoghan Dillon
3rd Ms. Nevin Rhys Kiera	Ms. Lynch Natasha Patrick
2nd Ms. Moakley Jack Ellie	Ms. Dunbar Jack Caoilfhin	Ms. O’Leary Lorcan Aine
1st Ms. Nash Erica Jack	Ms. Kearney Sophie Dayle	Ms. McSweeney Liam Saoirse

These children are also responsible for turning off lights when classes leave the rooms and also checking that taps are off.

Patrick, Sean, Vincent and Oisin "at work" at our centre in the PE Hall

No Parking - December 2007

Gillian and Coco the dog [from Dog’s Trust] spent a day in September visiting classes and telling the children how to be a good dog owner and about how to stay safe around dogs. Coco back on December 19th. To visit Mrs. McLoughlin’s class, Ms. Kearney’s class, Ms. Quinn’s class and Ms. Murphy’s class.

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Third and Fourth classes visited Gelndalough for National Tree Day on Thursday 11th. October.

Cycling Helmets

M. Considine of Arklow Cycling Club came in to talk to the children who cycle to school about safety. He concentrated on the importance of wearing helmets and he gave some practical demonstrations using an egg!! He also talked about reflectors and lights.
He had a free helmet to give away and Luke was the lucky cyclist whose name was picked out of the bag!!

Ms. N. Rowe visited Copenhagen October 25th. & 26th. As part of the Irish team to help compile educational packs for schools on the environment. Did you know that the four countries in Europe with the most Green Flags are Portugal, Cyprus, Denmark and……..IRELAND.

Education Centre Glendalough [Outreach Programme] visiting 3rd. & 4th. Classes Wednesday 30th. January 2008. the four topics picked are Bats [[Mrs. Kennedy’s], Bugs [Ms. Byrnes], Irish Habitats [Ms. Lynch’s] and Irish Mammala [Ms. Neviin’s]. Each session consists of an interactive question and answer slide show, followed by activities e.g. drama, debate. Cant wait!,

WOW winnersMay 2007
Ms. Hayes 3rd. Class

Presentation of Prizes to Winners

Children who went on 'The Walking Bus' during the week of June 17th. 2007

We are thrilled that one of our children won the National prize in the Art Competition for WOW (Walk on Wednesday or any day of the Week).see photo below
Congratulations to Sophie Ormonde Cummins who was presented with her prize by Mr. Martin Cullen, Miniser of Transport in Dublin Castle on Friday last. She received an eight speed bicycle, helmet, cycle lock etc. It was a proud moment for Sophie, her parents and school.

Group Winners

April winners 1st. Class - Ms Nash

Walk to School Week
Winners
Ms. Deasy's 4th.Class

Ms. Barry's 5th. Class
March 2007 winners of W.O.W.

 

Healthy Eating

Smothies in the school 2007

 

Green School’s Committee 2007

The class that improved the most for walking to school in January.

Presentations to theclass that improved the most for walking to school in January.

W.O.W. pictures

Click HERE for Green School Ireland Site

Ali Menary with a class in St. Josephs'N.S. March 2007

Activity on a Travel Theme

 

Green-Schools offers a school:

· An opportunity to make environmental issues from the curriculum influence the life of the school and its impact on the environment.

· An opportunity to help develop children’s decision-making skills.

· curriculum materials and ideas for projects and events

· access to a network of support agencies

· links with other school in Ireland and Europe
· a prestigious award

· opportunities for local and national publicity

· and potential for financial saving

Ally from An Taisce highlighting the connection between Global Warming and walking to school to 4th and 5th classes March 2008.

Staff can carpool and walk too.

Richard planting trees during Tree Week March 2OO8.

Recycling in the Store Room for art activities.

 

Tel : 0402 - 32984 Fax : 0402 - 29786 Email: iosefstaf.ias@eircom.net