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Hayes Shared Vision--
We at Hayes Elementary support each other in order to put the needs of our students and their education first. We promote a passion for learning and stand as a source of pride for our students, staff, families, and community--all of whom are essential to our shared success.
Hayes Mission and Pledge--
At Hayes Elementary School, our mission is to educate, challenge and inspire every student to achieve personal success and become a confident contributor to society.
We, the students of Hayes Elementary, pledge to take action every day to protect our waters, wildlife, and world. Together, we will:
Reduce waste and be mindful of how our actions affect the environment.
Recycle whenever possible, and encourage others to do the same.
Conserve water by using it wisely and not wasting it.
Spread awareness about pollution, especially microplastics, and how small actions can make a big difference.
Protect our waters and wildlife by picking up trash and keeping our lakes and rivers clean.
Support sustainability by choosing eco-friendly products and reducing our carbon footprint.
We are committed to taking care of the Earth for today and for future generations. Together, we can make a big impact in protecting our planet!
What Is a Green School? Being recognized as a Green School means that we begin with the future in mind, designing a learning experience for students that will prepare them to lead the world toward a healthy, cleaner, more sustainable future.
What Is a Green School? Being recognized as a Green School means that we begin with the future in mind, designing a learning experience for students that will prepare them to lead the world toward a healthy, cleaner, more sustainable future.
Meet Your Green Team Advisory Staff! Got a question for the Green Team? E-mail clakatos@livoniapublicschools.org
Meet Your Green Team Advisory Staff! Got a question for the Green Team? E-mail clakatos@livoniapublicschools.org
You can also reach out to Mrs. Brothers, Ms. Craig, Mrs. Kim, Mrs. Kish, Mrs. Salowich, or Mr. Stromberg.
There's nothing wrong with having a tree for a friend.--Bob Ross
We have been a Green School since 2016, but each year we have to complete a series of activities to remain a Green School. Please email your ideas to clakatos@livoniapublicschools.org
We have been a Green School since 2016, but each year we have to complete a series of activities to remain a Green School. Please email your ideas to clakatos@livoniapublicschools.org
ABOUT ME: For nearly three decades, I’ve been an elementary art teacher, blending my passion for creativity with a deep love for nature. I've been on a mission to ignite that same passion in my students, showing them how to embrace sustainability through art. Long before 'environmental art' was a buzzword, I was all about repurposing – transforming cardboard, plastic, and brown paper grocery bags into creative masterpieces. I was turning trash into treasure way before it was cool! 🌿🎨✨
Over the years, I've realized that it's crucial to help my students understand that our planet is in trouble, and that they're capable of making a difference. Kids are never too young to take action, and it all starts with fostering a respect for nature. Once that respect takes root, it's easier to motivate them to be part of the solution and recognize their responsibility to repair the damage caused by previous generations.
The projects we tackle not only enhance their artistic skills but also cultivate environmentally conscious individuals. Incorporating environmentalism into the elementary art room nurtures creativity and instills a deep respect for the planet. For example, when sculpting clay sandcastles, we learn about watersheds. Or, we explore alternative energy concepts through through classic diorama throwbacks. One of our standout projects is a giant sea turtle made entirely out of waste materials – the same kind that often harms these creatures. This piece is on display in our art room and serves as a powerful teaching tool.
Through these creative endeavors, my students learn that art can be a force for good, blending beauty and purpose to inspire positive change in the world. 🌍🎨💚
Keeping it Green!
Ms. Lakatos
Photos: (Top) The Green Team (formally known as the Green Club) celebrates the end of each school year with a field trip the 3 B's (Bird, Butterfly and Bee) Native Plant Garden at Corrrado Park. We enjoy a tour of the garden, strawberry picking, volleyball and a picnic lunch!
You may recognize this sea turtle sculpture from the art room. Green Club students made it out of the plastics that harm many types of sea animals. Plastic grocery bags floating in the ocean take on the appearance of a jelly fish which sea turtles mistake for food.
We invited Art for the Sky to design an living painting of a sea turtle made up of sand, mulch, tin cans, water bottles, blue jeans and Hayes students. The students who wore white, gray and brown became the paint drops of the sea turtle which was only visible from the sky!
(Bottom) Fourth graders at Hayes were invited by the founders of the Bird, Butterfly and Bee Garden at Corrado Park to make and bury a time capsules scheduled to be opened upon their graduation day in 2031!
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