The city of Tracy has handed out $3,500 to the greenest kids in town.
Bohn Elementary, Williams Middle School, West Valley Christian Academy, Tracy Adult School and Girl Scouts Heart of Central California were some of several schools and organizations that applied for Tracy Public Works Department’s Waste Reduction Grant Program. Each group pitched ideas in an application letter for how they would promote recycling.
West Valley Christian Academy seemed to be a perfect candidate for a $1,000 piece of the grant. After three parents of West Valley students died of breast cancer, the school’s teachers and students wanted to raise money for Relay For Life.
The school set out recycling bins in the lunch room and in the office about a year ago in hopes of raising a few hundred dollars. Then, garbage bags crammed with plastic bottles began to pile in, and recycling became a popular challenge among students.
So far, the school has raised $3,700 for Relay For Life.
“Cancer is something our student body has always been aware of,” Principal Teresa Smith said. “This is one way they get to give back and bless the community.”
The school will spend the grant money on curriculum to teach students about the importance of recycling and more recycle bins for each classroom.
“We want everyone to give bottles,” said 6-year-old Taryn Burrow, one student who frequently helps fill the recycle bins. “If everybody recycles, we’ll all feel better.”
Williams Middle School received $1,000 to fund its ecology club’s public service video that will reveal local pollution problems with global affects. The club plans to distribute the video to Tracy elementary schools.
Girl Scouts Heart of Central California also received $1,000. Local Girl Scouts will use the money to buy shopping totes that will be handed out in front of 10 grocery and department stores April 19 to encourage shoppers to use fewer plastic bags.
The city awarded $250 to Tracy Adult School. The students in Toni Lilley’s class will build an American flag completely out of recyclables. The work will be presented at the school’s Trashformation Art Show and then permanently displayed at Stein High School.
Bohn Elementary School will use a $250 grant to buy containers to collect recyclables. The school plans to use the money earned from the recyclables to buy and plant trees for its playground.
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