The wildlife garden in the snow

The wildlife garden gate was frozen closed this afternoon.  It felt really magical in there.....you can see fox prints.

Up and running

With the snowy start to December, we have been a bit slow in getting the Aquabox project up and running.  Collection points will be set up today in each class room and we are asking for the following donations:

Nursery morning and afternoon:
Baby vests
Babygrows
Towelling nappies (4 if possible) and pins.  NO DISPOSABLES
plastic pants
new feeding bottle or cup
safety pins
cotton material eg: cotton sheet for general use
baby/children’s clothes

Class 1 and 2:
4 new toothbrushes
toothpaste -2 large tubes
tablets of soap - at least 4
washing powder or flakes (handwash only)
packs of cotton wool
sanitary pads
kitchen rolls (1 plus)
hairbrush comb

Class 3 and 4:
Childs small toy (s) - ball or fluffy toy
Needle and cotton (strong)
small strong torch & batteries
6+ candles and safety matches
Children’s/teenagers toys
pencils and paper
insulation tape
ball of string
roll of plastic sacks (garden)
cagoules or plastic macs (lightweight)

Class 5 and 6:

Large cooking pan

4 bowls and 4 cups (unbreakable ie: plastic or metal)

4 each metal spoons, knives, forks

scissors - kitchen quality

can opener

pliers

screwdriver and matching screws (crosshead or slot)

Or any items from the full list in the box or make a donation.

THANK YOU!

Christmas!

Winter is certainly here, and Parklands is under a blanket of snow.  Well done to the nursery for making bird feeders.  You can find out how to make one by clicking here.

The children can now officially mention the word 'Christmas'.  Last year 640 million cards were sent in the UK.  To minimise waste, would you consider your child sending one card to their whole class, rather than to every pupil.

After Christmas we will be collecting Christmas cards to recycle for The Woodland Trust.

Hooray

We raised £34 towards the Aquabox project!  That's a lot of ice-cream, sprinkles and marshmallows!  Well done to Solomon who took everyone's money and gave out the right change.  And well done to everyone for doing their bit and buying an ice-cream.

Saving water

This term we have been focusing on saving water.  We had an assembly by Severn Trent Water.  If you would like a free water saving device to fit into your toilet you can get one here.  Or why not make your own by following these instructions.

Following our water audit, only three of the toilets at Parklands could have a water saving device fitted as they have all been replaced since 2001 and therefore are efficient enough not to need them.

Aquabox Scheme

This year we are proud to be supporting the Aquabox scheme in association with the Rotary Club.  We have been provided with an empty Aquabox ready to fill with essential items.  The unit, which is in fact a water filtration system can then be sent to a disaster emergency zone when needed.

We will be raising funds for some of the larger items for the box by having a stall at the Christmas Fair on Friday November 26th.  The Eco Team will be selling ice cream.  

In the following weeks, we will be asking each class to collect items from the list. Your generous support is requested.

The project helps us to fulfill one of the Eco Schools criteria of 'Global Perspectives'.  The project will be explained to the children in an assembly and information sent home in a newsletter.  The box will be displayed in the hall so that the children can see it filling up!

Growing vegetables workshop

Helen Hallows and Mrs Langworthy attended a course on 'Growing vegetables in school grounds' at Mundy Junior School in Heanor.  Run by The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the course got us fired up for growing more vegetables at Parklands in 2011, and for managing our wildlife garden.

Mundy Junior School garden

Bug hotel at Mundy School

Edible Playgrounds are currently petitioning government to make it compulsory for all schools to have a growing area to show where food comes from.  Click here to vote.

Switch Off Fortnight

Today Helen Hallows ran an assembly to launch Switch Off Fortnight.  Running until December 3rd, it's a chance to remind everyone to switch off appliances when not in use and to turn gadgets off standby.  A phone charger left plugged in can still use 90% power.  Children from each class were given the responsibility of being Switch Off Monitors.

Welcome!

Welcome to Parklands Infant and Nursery School's Eco blog!  Here you can find updates on the projects we are doing in school whilst we work towards the Green Flag award.