My Nonprofit Reviews

As the Assistant Principal of Will Rogers Middle School in the Lawndale Elementary School District, I had the honor of spearheading the Trash Free Lunch Challenge (TFLC) in the 2014-2015 school year and collaborating with Grades of Green.

Being the first year we participated in the TFLC, the training and support provided by Grades of Green was instrumental to the success of our recycling program. Not only did they provide resources and ideas for the development of our recycling system, but they helped Will Rogers launch the TFLC through an informational and motivational assembly. Since Will Rogers had 965 students, Grades of Green was flexible and accommodated the needs of our school by providing us three different assemblies (one per grade level). The knowledge and enthusiasm displayed by the Grades of Green staff was infectious and students were eager to begin the TFLC. After the assemblies, the Grades of Green staff stayed through both of our lunches to train and support students and staff members. Their dedication to our school and our success was imperative.

Throughout the year, Grades of Green continued to support our school. Our program manager continuously emailed monthly newsletters and tips to share with staff members, students, and our community on how to protect and save the earth. This form of communication was instrumental in educating parents and community members of the importance of recycling and how they could assist. It also continued to inspire students to keep the momentum of recycling and gave them the opportunity to share information at home. Many students shared that due to the Grades of Green Assembly, they were inspired to begin recycling at home and urged their parents to support this movement.

I am proud to say that Will Rogers won the Trash Free Lunch Challenge in the middle school category. We were able to reduce the amount of trash collected during lunch from twenty-eight bags to three bags. I can truly say that this triumph would not have been possible without the support and encouragement from Grades of Green. Not only did they provide us with significant support last year, but have offered to support us again this year to train our incoming students and reiterate the importance of reducing waste and recycling to our continuing students.

Students are learning the impact they can make on the earth through reducing their amount of waste and recycling, which makes them feel valued and important. Grades of Green is wonderful!