Minutes of Green School’s Meetings 2012

Minutes of Green School’s Meeting

8/10/12

• Everyone was welcomed. The children present were
  • 1^st Class Leo Cawley and Queva O’Meara
  • 2^nd Class Patrick Dowling and Orlaith Ryan
  • 3^rd Class Michelle Flanagan and James Webster
  • 4^th Roisin Donnelly and Jack Corcoran
  • 5^th Class Kate Looby (filling in for Noah Minchin) and Dean O’ Brien
  • 6^th Class- all were in attendance (18)
  • Ms Kennedy and Ms Brady
  • Repak Recycling Week
    • Junior Infants – 2^nd Class Colouring Competition
    • 3rd to 6^th Class Video Competition

• Each class must brainstorm in their classes this week on how to save water and bring findings back to meeting
• Each class representative must count sinks and toilets in each room.  Teacher will check if hippos are in the cisterns of the toilet
• Check for leaks in your room.
• 6^th Class will visit infant rooms to keep them informed
• Next meeting 15/10/12

Minutes of Green School’s Meeting

15/10/12

• Everyone was welcomed. The children present were
  • 1^st Class Leo Cawley and Queva O’Meara
  • 2^nd Class Patrick Dowling and Orlaith Ryan
  • 3^rd Class Michelle Flanagan and James Webster
  • 4^th Roisin Donnelly and Jack Corcoran
  • 5^th Class Noah Minchin and Dean O’ Brien
  • 6^th Class- all were in attendance (18)
  • Ms Kennedy and Ms Brady
  • Repak Recycling Week reminder
    • Junior Infants – 2^nd Class Colouring Competition ( Everyone has completed the colouring competition. They will be collected this week)
    • 3rd to 6^th Class Video Competition (Will be finished Friday)

• Water Meter Reading
  • October 8^th 11am   1723.158l
  • October 15^th 11am 1837.829l
  • Total water used  114.671l

• Each class brainstormed in their classes this week on how to save water. The findings were as follows

Ideas for saving water in our school

• When cleaning up from art, watering flowers or vegetables and cleaning out the compost buckets and recyclable materials, we could use recycled rain water.
• We could distribute recycled rain water to each class by filling an empty water bottle for easy use in each classroom.
• We could use baby wipes to wash our hands after art.
• Always double check that the taps are turned off properly and that there is no leaks.
• Ensure that there is a hippo in each cistern.
• Have regular checks for leaks throughout the school
• Use the dishwasher less and also ensure that it is on the eco setting.
• Use a basin of water to rinse cloths.
• Put soap on your hands first and then rinse.
• Gutter wastage ( suggestion behind Tir na nOg- Donie will install this week)
• Washing your teeth- While you’re washing either fill a cup of water or turn off the tap while you’re brushing.
• Water Monitors- Each committee member is responsible to report leaks in their rooms and highlight water wastage in their classes
• Each class representative must count sinks and toilets in each room.  Teacher will check if hippos are in the cisterns of the toilet

• Audit of toilets, taps, sinks and urinals in  the school

• Sinks- 25 in total
• Taps- 49 in total
• Toilets- 20 in total
• Urinals- 5 in total
• Leaks/Problems
  • One tap not working in boy’s toilet in Mr White’s room
  • One tap not working in boy’s toilet in Ms Brady’s room
  • Staffroom toilet- check for leak
  • Test on boys toilet in Ms Kennedys (colour dye)
  • 6^th Class experiment ( to be done by next meeting) Check at home how much water is used while brushing your teeth
  • 6^th Class will visit infant rooms this week to keep them informed
  • Each class must come up with a motto for saving water in our school. A motto will be chosen and an art competition will follow.
  • 6^th class will experiment using water bottles instead of hippos in the cisterns. They will bring findings to next meeting
  • Next meeting Monday 22^nd October

Minutes of Green School’s Meeting

16/10/12

Visit for An Taisce Representative

• Everyone was welcomed. Sean From An Taisce was introduced to the children. The children present were
  • 1^st Class Leo Cawley and Queva O’Meara
  • 2^nd Class Patrick Dowling and Orlaith Ryan
  • 3^rd Class Michelle Flanagan and James Webster
  • 4^th Roisin Donnelly and Jack Corcoran
  • 5^th Class Noah Minchin and Dean O’ Brien
  • 6^th Class- all were in attendance (18)
  • Pupils from Junior and Senior Infants (4)
  • Ms Kennedy and Ms Brady
  • Donie Shanahan

• Sean questioned the children to what they have done so far with the Water Flag and how we are maintaining are other two flags.
• Sean also spoke to Donie Shanahan, the caretaker about water usage and the upcoming works on the school
• Suggestions/Recommendations
  • Water Action Day (Whole School Involvement)
  • Water usage per day. Per pupil to be calculated 
  • Visit to a water treatment plant
  • Include water saving ideas in our Christmas Show
  • Be water conscious at home and at school
  • Last year’s bills need to be in the Green School folder and analysed.

Next Meeting- 22/10/12

Minutes of Green School’s Meeting

22/10/12

• Everyone was welcomed. The children present were
  • 1^st Class Leo Cawley and Queva O’Meara
  • 2^nd Class Patrick Dowling and Orlaith Ryan
  • 3^rd Class Michelle Flanagan and James Webster
  • 4^th Roisin Donnelly and Jack Corcoran
  • 5^th Class Noah Minchin and Dean O’ Brien
  • 6^th Class- all were in attendance (18)
  • Ms Kennedy and Ms Brady
  • Repak Recycling Week
    • Entries were sent off for colouring competition
    • Will Hourihan will upload our videos to the school website

• 6^thClass experiment to check at home how much water is used while brushing your teeth
  • Findings:  Between 4 and 8 litres were used while washing your teeth. 6^th Class will talk to the classes after mid term to help reduce this water waste at home.
  • Mottos for water saving were collected. The winning motto will be announced at 12^th November Meeting and art competition will follow.
  • Leaks were highlighted to Donie Shanahan, the caretaker. These will be dealt with after works are completed on radiators and water in the school.
  • 6^th class will experiment using water bottles instead of hippos in the cisterns. They will bring findings to next meeting ( Postponed to after mid-term)
  • Teachers discussed the recommendations from Sean (An Taisce)
    • Action day- December (no date finalised) Lesson ideas will be given to each teacher.
    • Water usage to be completed week after mid-term by three 6^th class pupils
    • Each teacher will put a water reference in their Xmas play
    • Next meeting- After Mid-Term (12^th November)

Minutes of Green School’s Meeting

12/11/12

Ms Kennedy and Ms Brady present

• 7 Step Document and Action plan finalized and given to staff members. These are working documents that can be updated at anytime.
• Details given to classes