Go Green Wilmette supports local school districts in their efforts to raise environmental awareness and make schools more sustainable. These schools include New Trier High School District 203 and Wilmette District 39 Schools, – Central School, Harper School, McKenzie School, Romona School, Highcrest Middle School and Wilmette Junior High School.
We also advise District 37’s Avoca and Marie Murphy schools. In addition to the public schools, we also work with St. Joseph, St Francis Xavier and Baker Demonstration School. Currently, all these schools have environmental representatives that are involved in promoting various green activities.
Go Green Wilmette has worked closely with the D39 administration and PTO representatives to develop strategic goals and implement new practices such as reusable silverware and water cups at all six schools and district-wide food composting. We have proposed green guidelines for all school events. In 2017, the district launched a sustainability page on their website to showcase the many great initiatives occurring throughout the schools.
Go Green Wilmette has a liaison to the Village-wide Environmental Awareness Committee consisting of representatives from all Wilmette schools. The goal of the committee is to work together to share ideas and create consistency and continuity in the environmental programs from grade school to junior high.
GGW members also assist District 39 in connecting students to nature in Outdoor Classrooms, or school gardens, at each school.
We also worked with New Trier High School to establish their Sustainability Committee and the sustainability page on their website. NTHS is currently conducting a food waste composting pilot at the Northfield campus with our assistance. We also advise the Environmental Club and offer internship and exhibition opportunities for students.
Go Green Wilmette’s school liaison also participates in the Area School Environmental Group (ASEG) which is comprised of dozens of schools from districts from all over the north shore, started by the Joseph Sears School environmental representatives in Kenilworth.
In 2015, in partnership with Go Green Illinois, we organized a local school sustainability conference bringing in experts to address and advise 13 local school districts.
