Molly Lavecchia and Leo, her son, like riding bikes to Coastal Ridge Elementary for school when the weather cooperates. It’s a nice way to get going and get excited about the day. But when counting littered cans of Bud Light along their path became a daily ritual for Leo, Molly decided it was time to do something about it.
A product of York Schools herself, Ms. Lavecchia has great memories of being part of an eco team in the fifth and sixth grades. In fact, Molly credits the group with starting her on the environmentally friendly path she’s now on. With this spirit in mind, Ms. Lavecchia approached the CRES parent group and Principal Murphy about setting up an afterschool program.
The program, known as The Green Team, is a group of CRES kids that meet after school with Ms. Lavecchia to learn, play, and talk about the environment and what they can do to protect it. Other parents have offered their time too. “We have nature lessons, hike in the woods, play games outside, learn about solar energy, talk about things the kids are interested in.” They also have events and take on issues around the school.
CRES is now composting in the cafeteria, thanks to the Green Team. Based on pick-up and rough estimates, CRES has managed to keep 1,152 gallons of food waste out of the landfill, weighing roughly 6,163 pounds. That’s about the weight of a blue whale’s tongue, a Ford F250, or 108 eight-year-olds.
The team has also brought silverware back to the cafeteria to replace single-use plastic. Ms. Lavecchia says that though Green Team members are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders, they all “get it.” Kids are bringing ideas home with them. The team recently met with the high school’s eco team to talk about composting in the cafeteria there, too. “The high school students were amazed by the ideas these kids have. When they learn about this early in life, it becomes second nature to them.”
And about those Bud Light cans that Leo used to count on the way to school? You may find that they are no longer around. The Green Team has organized clean-ups around York and inspired the Orange Bag Project, a York initiative begun by Ms. Lavecchia.
Thank you, Green Team, for leading the way to a cleaner York and a healthier environment!