Our school vision states that “we are determined to create a school where everyone is confident and able to take control of their own learning, and the world is our classroom.” We see this lived out every day in the lessons our students engage in and in the co-curricular activities they participate in. One such co-curricular activity, and a testament to our monthly theme of passion, is our high school sustainability group, where our students have taken control of their own learning - guided by their faculty mentors - about a cause that has a significant impact on all of our lives. We spoke with members of the SustainASH group about their mission, their goals for the rest of the school year, tips we can all incorporate into our everyday lives and the launch of their new social media accounts.  

“SustainASH is a high school club that actively advocates for sustainable living and awareness within the ASH community and beyond as opposed to a purely educational approach. We hope to give the pursuit of sustainability a more positive and enthusiastic spin rather than appealing to fear, so as to resonate with young activists and high school students as well as general community members. In addition, we introduce and promote service opportunities and initiatives allowing teachers and students the opportunity to participate in local and global activism. Through our actions, we hope to inspire others to be more aware and make better eco-friendly choices on a continuous basis. 

With the pandemic and lockdowns, our plans for this year are constantly being modified. Adapting to our new reality, we are utilizing virtual and social media platforms to showcase much our work and connect with the community. In April, we are taking part in an online Sustainability Fair to celebrate Earth Day and showcase our ideas about sustainability to other schools internationally. In addition, we are launching a new initiative, Mittens Against Emissions, where we will make gloves and other fun accessories from recycled textile materials. We will be selling our creations and donating the funds to One Tree Planted to help with reforestation efforts around the world. Buying some of our sustainable accessories will not only decrease your participation in fast fashion, but all funds from our project will help combat deforestation and carbon emissions. Keep a lookout for our activities on our new social media pages! 

In order to be more sustainable, one simple change that everyone can make is to wear reusable masks instead of a disposable one. COVID-19 waste is quickly adding to our already out of control plastic pollution issue. Wearing a reusable mask is not only more sustainable, but it is more cost effective and probably safer in the long run. Another simple thing you can do, is to ensure your waste is recycled correctly. As you may well know, ASH has recently obtained a new waste contract that allows us to truly recycle our PMD waste, so it is more important than ever to be mindful of separating your waste correctly. (It is important to ensure you are separating waste correctly in your home as well!)  If you have any questions about what goes where, check out our recycling campaign videos on our new social media accounts. Lastly, SustainASH has set up the opportunity to volunteer at a community supported agriculture (CSA) sustainable garden! Helping at the sustainable farm is an opportunity to make a solid difference for the environment, so if you are interested in this opportunity, contact SustainASH leadership so we can get you started with volunteering!” 

Wow what an incredible group of students and real change agents in our midst! Be sure to follow SustainASH on Facebook or Instagram as they will be showcasing their initiatives and highlighting the commitment they have to making our world more sustainable and a better place.

#ASHexperience