Environmental Grant Results
Winners of the 2008 Johnie Forte Environmental Grants:
- Armstrong Elementary School
- Bren Mar Park Elementary School – Students as Resources for Technology Team
- Camelot Elementary School – Green Team
- Deer Park Elementary School
- Floris Elementary School
- Haycock Elementary School – Girl Scout Troop 5322
- Irving Middle School – Autism Class
- Kings Glenn Elementary School
- Kings Park Elementary School
- Lake Anne Elementary School
- Lemon Road Elementary School
- Newington Forest Elementary School – Green Knights Environmental Club
- Oakton Elementary School – Panther Patrol
- Rose Hill Elementary School
- Wakefield Forest Elementary School – Kids with Character
- West Springfield High School – Environmental Club
- Westgate Elementary School – Music class grades K-6
- Wolf Trap Elementary School
These 18 schools were selected by Clean Fairfax Council and the Fairfax County Recycling Program based on project applications for the Johnie Forte, Jr. Memorial Litter/Recycling Grant Program.
Each school will receive a grant of up to $500 to carry out their proposed litter prevention, litter control, or recycling project. Students will present their projects at the awards ceremony at the Fairfax County Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration on April 19, 2008 in Annandale.
Contributions to the Johnie Forte Grant Program were made by Clean Fairfax Council, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program, Fairfax County Wastewater Management and Vantria Federal Credit Union.
Johnie Forte, Jr. was a valued member of the Board of Directors of the Clean Fairfax Council. He believed that litter prevention and recycling were extremely important to the quality of life in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Johnie Forte, Jr. Memorial Litter/Recycling Grant Program is a joint program administered annually by the Clean Fairfax Council and the Fairfax County Division of Solid Waste Collection and Recycling. It is open to all Fairfax County Public Schools.
On Air Radio Contest Results
Each year, in commemoration of the nationally observed America Recycles Day, the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program observes the occasion by sponsoring a contest open to all Fairfax County students. This year’s contest was titled “Students On Air.” The purpose of this contest is to encourage students to think creatively about recycling and create a radio message that could be used to encourage other members of the Fairfax County community to increase their recycling efforts.
“Recycling in Fairfax County requires the assistance from every member of the community – businesses, households, schools and each individual who lives and works within the county,” remarked Pamela Gratton, Fairfax County’s Recycling Manager. “It takes the encouragement of family and peers, it takes a certain amount of education and reminding, and it takes willingness to make the extra effort to set aside recyclable items instead of throwing them in the trash.”
“The entries we received portray the creativity and enthusiasm of Fairfax County students when it comes to recycling in our community. All participants should be congratulated for their creative achievement and for their commitment to and concern for our local environment through the simple act of recycling.”
This year, the Solid Waste Management Program received nearly 300 creatively constructed radio ad scripts from which 3 winners were selected in the following grade categories (in no particular order):
K – 3rd Grade
Lily Kaspar, Kindergarden, Hunters Woods Elementary School
Devan Kowdley, 3rd Grade, Greenbriar West Elementary School
Sierra Hoffman, 3rd Grade, Mosby Woods Elementary School
4th – 7th Grade
The Student Council Officers, 4th & 5th Grade, Columbia
Elementary School
Lindsey Grooms, 5th Grade, Silverbrook Elementary School
Truc Bui, 6th Grade, Fairhill Elementary School
8th – 12th Grade
Caitlyn O’Brien, 8th Grade, Rachel Carson Middle School
Grace Hu, 8th Grade, Rachel Carson Middle School
Rachel Kumar, 8th Grade, Rachel Carson Middle School
Each winning entry will be awarded a $30 gift card to a local bookstore.
SCRAPbook for Teachers
SCRAPbook (PDF) is a publication filled with tips and resources that teachers can use when teaching their students about recycling. In order to view the document, you will need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
News Delivered to Your Inbox
Subscribe to our periodic e-newsletter by going to the county's electronic mailing list page and selecting "Recycling Information for Fairfax County Residents." You can also view the latest version of The Fairfax Recycler online.
Tours for Students
Elementary teachers may take their students to see waste management at its best at the I-66 Transfer Station Complex, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. The I-66 Transfer Station has an observation window with lots of movement, trash, brush grinding, hazardous waste collection and a recycling drop-off center. A video on all parts of waste management is part of the 45-minute tour. Call David Menefee at 703-631-1179, TTY 711, to schedule.
Capital Fiber, a materials recovery facility in Springfield is eager to give tours to interested middle and high school groups. The tours take about 30 minutes and include information on the recycling process as well as a chance to see a giant baler. Schedule tours through Carol Swift.
RETURN TO Student and Teachers Entry
Page