Editor's Note
Go Green & Go Red Wings!
By Jillian Melnyk, Editor
My cheeks are a little pink – and no, it's not because I have been out catching some of those sunrays that have been peeking through the clouds lately. I'll be honest, I'm blushing because I'm kind of embarrassed. About a year ago a friend brought to my attention that our area school systems are doing what he called “an AWFUL job” of recycling, that their policies are flawed and that they aren't recycling (even though they are pretending to). I was shocked and horrified. So I sent out our high school intern, Greg, to investigate. I figured with his youth and spunk he could gain access to the inside world of local high schools. I wanted the piece to be hard-hitting and expose the
schools for their flaws, but what he came up with was just the opposite. Sure, not every school in the Rochester area has an amazing recycling program (and in this month's "Parent to Parent" you can read about one mother and son's struggle with their own school's system), but in general what Greg revealed shocked me – but in a totally different way than I had imagined.
Some of our schools actually ARE recycling. Not only that, but each year they have been consistently becoming more and more "green" and environmentally aware. I'm ashamed to have thought that our schools, students, and teachers didn't care. "I was wrong" are not words that come easily for me, though in this instance I couldn't be more eager to admit how flawed my thinking was. I find Greg's piece inspirational and I hope that you do, too. If
your school is like Anna's, I encourage you to take the time to research how you (and your children) can get involved in your school system and encourage them to put environmental policies and programs into place. In celebration of Earth Day (April 22nd), this month's issue marks our official "Green Issue". We've packed it with tips and ideas for going green, as well as ways for your family to get more in touch with the environment. With that said, I'm glad our days are getting longer (and warmer!) because I can't wait to get outside and enjoy nature (sans snow). I will be plopping down on the fresh grass on April 11th for the Red Wings home opener against Syracuse. Speaking of baseball, if you haven't already heard, I'm quite excited that our very own Red Wings will be featured in a PBS series called "Minor League" (filming will happen during this season and the show will air next year). I hope you have the chance to get out and catch a few games this season! (PS: Try your hand at winning tickets in this month's coloring contest!)
Go Wings!
Jillian
This column appeared originally in the April 2009 issue of Genesee Valley Parent Magazine.