The Sustainability and Garden Committee provides activities and events that help instill a sense of environmental stewardship in our school community and foster a connection to nature.

 

Community Hikes

In December 2023, we hosted our first community hike in the Wissahickon! It was a beautiful winter day to connect in nature, enjoy s’mores around the campfire, and learn about the important work of the SGC in our school communities. Our next hike was on April 6 at Ft. Washington State Park. We are lucky to live in a community surrounded by so much natural beauty to explore! We look forward to planning more hikes for  the '24-25 school year!

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School Planters

In front of Enfield, you’ll notice a greening effort – stunning planters! Our committee updates the planters seasonally, adding a beautiful visual welcome to all who visit the school. 

 

Reusable Tote

Our Committee partnered with fellow Spartan parent-artist, Fran Devinney, to create a beautiful Spartan logo, filled with elements from nature, for our new reusable tote bag! Made of 100% recycled cotton canvas, this large tote is perfect for bringing to the farmer's market, grocery store, library or school. The Earth-inspired 'S' is a reflection of our community's commitment to being good stewards of the environment and instilling that value in our students. Click here to see how some of our students are using their tote and purchase online here! 

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Recycling
A revitalized recycling initiative started in February 2024 at Enfield. Trash and recycling bins are in a standard location in the classrooms, along with new colorful signs that are prominently displayed above the bins. This helps ensure everyone knows where to place their materials. Special thanks to the administrative team, teachers, and custodians at Enfield for seeing this initiative to completion! Erdenheim’s Green Team also created posters that encourage recycling and protecting our environment, and they presented to their peers during Spartan Pride Time. Check out some of our SGC student ambassadors sharing their recycling tips below! 

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Raised Garden Beds 

Thanks to the support of Assistant Principal Mr. Curtis Fleming, teachers Ms. Tara Grow and Ms. Teresa Straffin, and the generous contributions and guidance from Backyard Eats, raised garden beds were installed at Enfield in April 2023 and Erdenheim in March 2024! The garden provides engaging, hands-on learning experiences to understand the process of growing healthy foods. Green beans, tomatoes, carrots, and herbs are just a few things popping up in the garden beds. Stay tuned for opportunities for your family to help with the garden and attend gardening workshops!

 

Nature Assemblies

Enfield welcomed representatives from the nonprofit organization 4 Elements Earth Education (4eee.org) to share some of their earth skills with our students. The topic was shelter, specifically how to make a natural shelter using nothing but forest debris to keep warm and dry in even the coldest and wettest conditions. The presentation included a brief history of the organization and its lineage to a Native American society. It also included an engaging story relaying how humans learned this type of shelter from the squirrels. In the afternoon, students got time in the courtyard to do just that – build a shelter for a squirrel using sticks and leaves to construct a “debris hut.”

 

BIC Stationary Recycling Program

Enfield and Erdenheim participated in the BIC recycling program this year, and teachers and students gathered nearly 17 pounds of writing instruments that would have otherwise been thrown away. Special thanks to the Green Team at Erdenheim for getting the word out and helping with the collection effort!
 

We’re so proud of the team effort to cultivate sustainability within our school community!

 If you have any ideas or want to be involved, please contact us at sustainability@eehsp.org.