For our action plan, we decided that we wanted to apply for this grant. In order to do so, we had to get approval from our principal, Dr. Berner-Wallen. So to get the approval, we had to set up a meeting with her to discuss the grant and what we wanted to do to with the money if we had won it. She was 110% on board with the idea of composting and even had other ideas herself. To move forward with the application our Civics in Action teacher Mrs. Sophie Chimera assisted in the action of this project by filling out the grant. Below you will find the grant application. To fill out this application we had to talk about the purpose of getting the grant, how the money will be used and who will be continuing on with the composting after our group graduates. 

Lake Shore High School-NYSAR Grant

Project Title:  School Cafeteria Food Waste Reduction through Composting

1.  Goals and Objectives

This project has been undertaken by students in a Civics elective who are completing their Capstone Project for the Seal of Civic Readiness.  The goal of the project is to reduce the amount of cafeteria food waste through the creation of a composting system.  Currently there are absolutely no composting facilities on our school campus.  Additionally, we have a community garden (created by last year’s civics students) that is maintained by the School Garden Club.  The goal is also to supply the Garden Club with compost to grow vegetables in the spring through fall. (The composts would be located next to the garden which is conveniently behind the school cafeteria.)  

The project also supports the learning of sustainable behavior by Lake Shore students, faculty and staff.  The objective of the Civics class, Green Eagles (environmental club) and Garden Club is to use both the garden and the composting system as a means of interdisciplinary instruction.  For example recycling/composting can be integrated into our science program; social studies classes can examine how composting reduces the need for landfills and lowers waste management costs.

We plan to set up the composts as soon as we receive the grant and begin composting the last few weeks of the school year.  This will continue over the summer and continue into next school year.  Our vision is to see composting expand through the district through our example.

2.  Budget and Budget Detail

1. Three Bin Composting system/Galvanized steel/ 110 gallons per bin/Wire grid lids- $543.99 (plus shipping)

Capacity of bins is appropriate and steel frame weathers well.

2. Two  Compost Turner Aerator- $46.99 each -  Total $93.98

Necessary is to keep compost healthy and allows multiple students to be involved.

3. 16 inch Compost Spreader for garden- $69.99

Necessary to provide compost to garden beds in an efficient manner.

4.  Three Medium Straw Bales 22” - $42.78 each  - $128.34

As we are beginning composting in the summer we will need dry materials to begin.

Total:  $836.30

C.  Project Team and Partners

The project team for this will include myself (Civics teacher/Seal of Civic Readiness Coordinator), Adam Didier (Garden Club advisor), Sydney Kocic (Green Eagles advisor), support from administration (Principal/ Vice-Principal), school cafeteria kitchen staff and the building and grounds staff.

Students involved will be primarily the Garden Club students, Green Eagles (environmental club) and Civics classes.  The plan is also to involve students who need community service hours to take a turn helping with the maintenance of the compost including Participation in Government students, National Honor Society students and Leadership students.  We also want to see the whole faculty and student body learning about composting and waste reduction/recycling through interdisciplinary lessons. Students in Life Skills classes have also successfully been involved in the community garden and we hope they will also try their hand at helping with composting. 

Additionally, the Town of Evans Environmental Committee will be spotlighting composting at the high school to the local community and we hope to see the Town Board eventually introduce composting as a program at the local level.  We plan to set up a table at the Town of Evans Environmental Fair next spring.

D. Measurable Results

We will be using gallon buckets in the cafeteria to transfer food scraps to the composts.  We will be able to keep track as to how much waste is recycled through our composting system.  As you can see from above, there will be many groups involved in this project. Many students will be keeping a track of their hours for service (NHS, Civics, Government, Leadership). 

 The environmental club and garden club have meetings regularly throughout the year and the time and number of students involved can be tracked. Students will be able to learn through hands-on application the importance of recycling through composting.

We will also be able to measure how much compost is produced in the containers, and how well the compost helped the gardens by the quality of the vegetables produced.  Additionally, students in classes that included the teaching of composting could additionally be measured on their understanding of the topic.