Collecting Kids' Ideas at Tillman

So, I'm hoping this post will give you a snapshot of why I think what the Sustainability Committee at Tillman Elementary is doing is so exciting.  I always say that I am a school gardener, but what I'm a part of is really more holistic than that. My crew and I care about  the health of both people and the planet, we try to include as many perspectives as possible, and we are operating in a school where character education and service learning are huge parts of the school culture. The committee formed less than a year ago, and I feel like we've accomplished a lot already. A lot of that has been planning, and collecting long-term sustainability ideas from parents, teachers, and students. On a recent blustery and cold day in the polar vortex, the sustainability committee hosted a design charrette, in which the opinions collected were the kids'.

How cool! First, that the school administration (thanks, Lisa Greenstein and Maria Stobbe!) was so supportive. They stand firmly behind the idea of teaching the school community about sustainability, and they were ready to let kids venture outdoors in really cold, snowy weather! For those of you that haven't been in the public schools in awhile, this may not seem avant garde at all. However, times have really changed, and kids and schools aren't prepared for outdoor recess in all but the best of weather anymore. Kids often don't have hats, gloves, boots, etc. for cold weather and "blacktop only" days are frequent during the muddy days of spring and fall. So, for even some of the classes to go outside when temps were in the teens was amazing. And those who didn't venture out? The technology support staff created a "virtual tour" of the campus so there was flexibility in how to participate!

Second, first-hand recommendations from a group of kids is always so exciting. Any time that groups work to include many voices in decision-making, it's great. But when kids are asked, their collective insight can be particularly inspiring. This is what I felt when I read my friend, Margaret Sadicarrio's report from her point of view in the charrette. She talked to most of the 550 kids at Tillman as they came through the cafeteria during the charrette, and listened to their ideas about changes to make in the cafeteria that relate to the idea of sustainability. (We had folks positioned all around the school listening for ideas, and we asked teachers to record observations as they facilitated class sustainability discussions as well.)  Below is what Margaret heard, in her words. It's just one volunteer out of many who listened to kids that day, but it is so inspiring and so reminiscent of what I've heard from kids throughout the last few years that I just had to share. I'll post a link to the full results when we compile everything, but for now I hope this gives you a taste of why me and so many others are hooked on outdoor education, school gardens, and changing food systems for the better for kids! And why working with a school that is behind kids' innovation and leadership can fill one with so much hope. I can't wait to tell you more as the "planning phase" ends, and the "doing phase" begins...

Reporting Notes from Design Charrette, from Margaret Hill Sadicario, Tillman Sustainability Committee Volunteer:

First, water was really a big issue.  They want at least a water fountain in the cafeteria...how about a berkey water filtration set up?

http://www.amazon.com/Berkey-BK4X2-BB-Filtration-Filters-Fluoride/dp/B00BWIX1EQ

They were also interested in just more things to drink: mint tea, any tea, OJ, hot chocolate, organic milk.

Electric Juicer?  (bicycle powered juicer? 

http://www.farmtoschool.org/CO/media.htm

Smoothies were also requested, along with MORE fresh fruit, strawberries in particular, which could be be a big project in the garden.

They want round tables.  Assigned seating.

Music.  (Some classes even suggested live music some times on the stage.)

Colorful painted walls.  (They said that the cafeteria has no "life."  Someone even said a red carpet would liven up the room.)  They want plants in the room.

Flowers on the tables. (from the prairie??)

Food:  They wanted soup: Cheddar brocoli, chili, chicken noodle (but good quality, they said that the quality of the food in the kitchen was "fake" and "bad". 

They wanted stir fry, and real mashed potatoes (not the ones from a box, they can tell the difference.)  Homemade pizzas and quesadillas.

Bigger salad bar with (again) more fruit.  They were open to eating more salads.

They really want to eat outside during nice days...this should also be a priority. 

They want the windows to open or at least be uncovered to let the light in.

They all said that they would like to cook in the kitchen and help prepare food.

They want organic and a gluten free option and some said a vegetarian option (time are changing and the cafeteria needs to adapt.)

A switch from white bread to whole wheat - this can be done now.

There was a desire to get rid of the disposable plates and use ones that can be washed and cups that could be washed.  (we would then need to get a dishwasher.  Lori in the kitchen said that there would be room.)

No packaged fruit, but fruit that was fresh.

Posted expectations in the cafeteria. 

Compost that STAYS on campus or comes back at the end of the year.

Recommendations:

The cooking staff needs more education about cooking healthy fruits and vegetables from scratch.

Juicer

Berkey (with real cups for anyone who wants to drink from it.)

Dishwasher

Dishes and cups

Paint and decorations

Coat rack

Overall, the room needs more love, color and life.

Margaret Hill Sadicario