New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Betsey B. Winslow Elementary School was selected as the first winner this year of the Recycling Champions Contest at last week’s School Committee meeting.
A total of $8,500 has been awarded over the past three years to New Bedford schools with outstanding recycling programs.
Paula Bailey, principal at Winslow leads the recycling efforts. “Having a motivated leader like Mrs. Bailey is very instrumental to the success of a school recycling program,” notes Meg Hebert, District Recycling Assistant.
Each applicant had to meet both basic criteria and two of the elective criteria. The basic criteria required the school to recycle paper, cans, bottles and cardboard. “Our students have been educated regarding the importance of recycling. In fact, students have been given classroom jobs to empty bins and are happy to be a part of it” said Mrs. Bailey.
Winslow School met the elective criteria by recycling printer cartridges and collecting clothes from the school community to donate to Gifts to Give. Mrs. Bailey also encourages students to recycle on morning announcements, through staff meetings and signs posted throughout the school.
“Recycling at school has made a positive difference in our learning environment and we are continuing to teach the students all of the benefits of recycling because it has an even greater impact in the world that we live in” said Mrs. Bailey.
Winslow School will receive $500 and recycling themed books.
This year, eleven schools met the criteria for the contest including nine elementary schools and two of the middle schools – Roosevelt and Normandin Middle Schools. Additional monthly winners will be selected randomly February through June.
