Woodland District 50 hosts Green Apple Day of Service

Woodland Elementary District 50 invites students staff, parents and community members to help make Woodland Primary School a healthier, more sustainable learning environment as part of the Green Apple Day of Service.

The event is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the school, 17366 W. Gages Lake Road, Gages Lake.

The Green Apple Day of Service, an initiative from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, brings together advocates from around the world and encourages them to take action in their communities through service projects at local schools.

The Day of Service, now in its second year, provides an opportunity for students, teachers, parents, elected officials, organizations, companies and more to transform all schools into healthy, safe, cost-efficient and productive learning places.

"We are excited to partner with our community on this day of service, helping to teach our young people the importance of giving back to our community," District 50 Superintendent Joy A. Swoboda said. "We encourage everyone to stop by and lend a hand."

The day will feature a variety of recycling projects, games, crafts and activities for children and adults.

"This spring, Woodland Primary was recognized as a Green Ribbon School because of our commitment to green practices and healthy initiatives," Principal Stacey Anderson said.

"This is the community's school. We hope that volunteers from the area will give some time to help support their school and participate in a few green projects and be part of something new at Woodland."

Last year, more than 2,100 volunteer projects took place in communities around the world, generating school improvement projects in all 50 states and in 40 countries.

"At the Center for Green Schools, we're always astounded by the ingenuity and innovation of communities across the country and around the world during the Day of Service," said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC.

"In these challenging economic times, schools, communities and leaders have demonstrated an impressive commitment to make the places where our children learn sustainable and safe, while putting money back into the classrooms where it belongs. We commend Woodland Primary School for transforming our schools and transforming our communities."

For more information and to start a Day of Service project, visit www.mygreenapple.org/dayofservice.