Highland View Celebrates. Earth Day

Transcription

1 Highland View Celebrates Earth Day In celebration of Earth Day, Highland View parents, Ms. Celeste Raker Dillen, Ms. Carolyn Hoskinson, Ms. Nicole Veilleux led two assemblies informing students about ways to help keep our water supply clean. Students learned that when we dispose of products, such as household cleaners, oils, and food waste down our drains, we are contaminating our water supply. They also learned about ways they can prevent that from happening. Samples of products that can go down our drains and pollute the water supply Several students were selected from the audience to participate in a skit demonstrating the process of water waste removal from our homes.

2 What Happens to Our Waste Water After It Goes Down the Drain? This second grader represents a water droplet. She is wearing pictures depicting the medicine, germs, and household cleaning products in waste water. The water carries these items and swirls through the pipes. At the treatment plant, water gets screened to remove large items. The water goes to the grit chamber where dirt and sand are removed. In the clarifying tank, lighter liquids like grease float and are skimmed off the top. Heavier items such as human waste sinks to the bottom and are removed to form sludge. Next, the water goes to the aeration tank where the good germs eat the organic matter.

3 What Happens to Our Waste Water After It Goes Down the Drain? Good germs are also called beneficial bacteria and get recycled. Air pumps provide oxygen so that the good germs" can breathe in the aeration tank. The water is filtered again to remove more contaminants. This student played the role of a filter. The filter pulls out contaminants. The water goes through an ultra-violet light process to kill germs and harmful bacteria The water gets released back into the river, but not all things are removed, such as medicine and toxic chemicals.

4 Students also enjoyed viewing a movie created by the Green Team describing the importance of being aware of what we put down the drain. Their message was keep it clean, before it s cleaned. How are some ways you can help the waste water treatment process: Fix leaky faucets and toilets which waste gallons and gallons of water. Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers. Throw grease and oils in the trash instead of washing it down the drain. Don t dump medicines or chemicals down the drain, instead take them to collection sites specifically designated for these items. Compost your food wastes instead of putting them down the garbage disposal. Use natural-based and biodegradable soaps. Avoid laundry detergents with added phosphorous. Clean using natural ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar or with ecofriendly cleaners. All of these tips will help keep our water clean and healthy because water is constantly recycled!

5 Earlier in the week, the teachers received Eco-bags prepared by parents. The bags contained a map of the neighborhood, plastic gloves and a large trash bag. At the end of the assembly, classes fanned out throughout the neighborhood and cleaned up trash.

6 We extend a very special Highland View thank you to Ms. Hoskinson, Ms. Villeux and Ms. Dillen Raker. For the past several years, these parents have prepared engaging and informative presentations for the entire school. Their efforts have encouraged and motivated our staff and students to be proactive in caring for our environment.