Wiggling Around

Back to School Night at Cascade Middle School was fun and insightful. Carlos and I joined what felt like millions of parents in the gym to get the beginning of the year info from the principal.  After a review of last year’s test statistics and this year’s goals, we were set free to Max’s first period.  For an hour, we followed Max’s daily schedule.  Each class was about 5 min with 3 min passing periods.  We even went to the cafeteria to sample some of the school food which was actually really, really good!  Chicken Poppy Salad, fresh veggies, and fruit were served by a super sweet cafeteria lady.  It was such a difference from my middle school days!  Gone are the days of cardboard frozen pizza and mystery meat sandwiches.  Clam chowder in bread bowls, baked beef ziti, terriyaki chicken and brown rice, chili, hummus, black bean burgers, hamburger bar, and spaghetti bar are just a few items on the menu. The kids have many, many choices healthy choices.  With each main meal, there is a side of fruits and vegetables.  All of the fruits and veggies are from local growers, and the beef is from local farms.  Carlos and I were really impressed and happily surprised!  Way to go nutrition services.

Here are some highlights from the brochure.

- whole wheat and grains are used

-trans-fats have been eliminated

-low-fat cheese and milk

-only fruits and veggie can be “super sized”

-breads are baked at the high school

- ooooh they even have a panini machine!

Now to get them composting with Red Wigglers!

Thanks Miller Elementary’s PTO for purchasing 2 Wonder Worman Worm Bin Packages!  The Red Wigglers are ready to chomp on fruit and veggie scraps from the students and staff.

Miller Elementary is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified School.  Most of their standards revolve around the “3 R’s (reducing, reusing and recycling) which begin during construction and continue through the life of the school.  Having Red Wigglers recycle their usable waste fits perfectly into the school’s concept.

For more info on Miller’s design click here.

Bend River Song School is a new Montesorri School located across the beautiful Deschutes River near The Old Mill District.  They were granted the funds by the Environmental Center and purchased a Wonder Worman Worm Bin Package customized with casters for mobility.  I had a blast delivering the bin as it was rolling all over the back of my Worm Mobile :^)

The school plans to compost their fruits and veggie scraps from lunch, and will use the valuable poop to amend their potting soil for the indoor garden. Learning and contributing to the process, the students are gaining a valuable lesson in Science.  They will observe the decomposition process, the behaviors of a Red Wiggler, and the needs of living creatures.

I am always so grateful to have the opportunity to visit schools and share my love for the planet and my amazing sidekicks, the Red Wigglers!

Thanks Bend River Song School!

Wiggles,

Wonder Worman