May 10
5
Ballintemple National School Visit
This week I had an opportunity to pay a visit to the 4th class students and their teacher Miss Lyons, in Ballintemple National School.
At the moment the school is aiming to receive a “Green Flag” as part of the National Green Schools Programme. There are seven steps that need to be completed in order to attain a Green Flag:
- Green Schools Committee
- Environmental Review
- Action Plan
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Curriculum Work
- Informing and Involving
- Green Code.
For more details on each of the seven steps click here
The children in Crab Lane talked me through everything they have done so far. (take a look below to see pictures of their activities) Amongst many other activities, including Litter Patrol, cleaning up the Atlantic Pond during National Spring Clean week, sorting and recycling their waste both in school and at home, the children have started a campaign in the school against dog fouling in the area. Dog fouling is an issue that arises again and again. It is a disgusting and unhygienic issue, but unfortunately one that is very hard to address.
So in order to help the children with their bid for a green flag and to raise awareness of the issue of dog fouling, I am sponsoring an Poster Competition in the school.
Before I left the class Miss Lyons, asked the children if they would tell me their ideas for tackling the issue of dog fouling and other environmental issues, which included:
- Doggy nappies
- More red bins along public walkways
- A special place for dogs to foul in public areas
- Dispensers for pooper scoopers / biodegradable bags along the walkways
- Undercover CCTV
- Bins should be emptied more regularly by City Council
- Initiative like National Spring Clean week, should be held more regularly and more people should be compelled to get involved
I will be popping back to the school in the coming weeks to see how they are getting on and to judge the poster competition.
[Click on any of the images for a higher resolution:]
