First Graders Make a Difference with Waste-Free Lunches
During the beginning of school last year, first-grade students in Brooke Donovan’s class conducted a classroom waste audit. “We took a close look at the amount of trash we generated after one lunch,” said Donovan. “Students counted the number of yogurt cups, plastic forks and knives, juice boxes, and other trash that we generated. Then they discussed what they could do to reduce this waste.”
The first goal was “no more plastic water bottles” and students brought in reusable cups and bottles from home. The second goal was no tin foil. This quickly morphed into students bringing in reusable lunch containers, utensils, and cloth napkins. After learning that Americans use millions of straws a day, they opted to “skip the straw.”
The students are so excited about the changes, said Donovan. “I had students coming up to me and announcing, ‘Look my mom bought me a reusable spoon!’”
Donovan’s efforts in the classroom extended to other areas of the Lower School. This spring, Shipley’s Lower School announced “Waste-Free Wednesdays” as a way to start making changes and being more conscious about sustainability efforts.
Prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade classes now have compost buckets for their fruit and vegetable scraps. Fifth graders pick up the classroom compost bins and take them to the compost tumblers just outside the cafeteria.
“There is a great connection to science,” said Dan Del Duca, Lower School Science teacher. “Students can see the decomposition process happening within a few weeks.”
“I love watching the students begin to understand that they are part of the solution to reduce waste,” said Donovan. “It’s becoming second nature for them.” Just ask Shipley’s youngest students, they are happy to share their knowledge.
Want to learn more about Waste Free Lunches? Check out these resources.
This year’s Upper School Spring Musical is Mean Girls, a modern adaptation of the classic movie from 2004. Shipley theater star and Beacon writer Colin Harkins ’23 tells us why audiences should be excited to see the show March 2-4, 2023 in Riely Theatre.
Shipley’s theater program is excited to announce that it will partner with Broadway Green Alliance, a corporation that tries to bring more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices into theaters all around the country. Read more in this article originally published in the Beacon student newspaper.
With over 70 clubs and activities to choose from, Shipley's Upper School students can enjoy a broad range of areas to discover and develop their passions and interests. Student writer Andrew McCarthy ’23 shares details about six of them in this article, originally published in the December 2022 issue of the Beacon, the Upper School student newspaper.
Originally published in the May 2022 issue of the Upper School student newspaper, The Beacon, this article shares insights from All School President Griffin Chulik ’22 about his student government experience and some final thoughts as he departs from the Shipley community and prepares to head off to college in the fall.
Acorns to Oaks has been a tradition the Shipley community has celebrated for decades. Bringing together not only the oldest and youngest students in the School, but also their families and the community as a whole. After COVID forced disruptions in the traditional celebrations, families of Oaks & Acorns were invited onto campus to participate in the first Acorn & Oak festivities of the 2021-2022 school year.
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.