From the FREEP

Sustainability at SRV

What Does it Mean and What Does It Look Like?

Sustainability is a word we've been hearing frequently of late. Although the word "sustainability" was not in common usage at the time of SRV's founding, the philosophy on which our school was built, which continues today, certainly is in keeping with the ideas that are at the heart of what many mean when they use the word "sustainability." Our purposeful connection to nature, our connections to the outside community through service learning projects, our attention to staff and curriculum development, our commitment to the financial health of the institution–all are part of SRV's contributions to the sustainability of our school, our community and our earth.

Earlier this year, the SRV board adopted a resolution recognizing sustainability as "a vital overarching concept" that the school "will incorporate as an integral part of its educational mission...and in our role as stewards of our environment and our societal and economic realms." This resolution represents a commitment on the part of the board to make sustainability an important part of our thinking as we plan and act. A sustainability committee was formed, comprised of board members, staff and parents, with a goal this year to document a sustainability plan based on economic, environmental and societal categories.

The good news is that SRV is already on the "sustainability" forefront in many ways. If you spend time on campus, if you read the FREEP, if you attend committee or board meetings, you'll notice all sorts of activities that fit the bill. Here are some examples:

  • Preschoolers putting apple cores and orange peels in their compost bucket after lunch or snack.
  • Kindergarteners sporting bright orange vests and carrying plastic bags on litter patrol in the Nature Preserve.
  • Students of all ages taking nature walks, making observations, looking and listening.
  • Teachers spending hours together on elaborate curriculum mapping.
  • Primary Circle students weighing and comparing the trash versus compost output of SRV in one day, then sharing their findings with the rest of the school.
  • The board of directors deliberating for hours over next year's budget, keeping the long-term in view.
  • Ridge in a backhoe, expanding the organic garden. And children helping to plan and build it.
  • Main Circle students learning first-hand about organic gardening on field trips to Red Hill Farm, where they also do volunteer work.
  • Mike, Robin and a handful of older students piling into cars and heading for Chester East Side Ministries.
  • The development committee and fundraising committee chairs toiling to raise the money needed to keep the school in the black.
  • The kitchen staff using as much locally- and organically-grown and whole food as possible in the school lunches.
  • Teachers using our 8.5 acre campus to its fullest, as an extension of our classrooms.
  • Oldest Group students planting native trees and shrubs along the Ridley Creek.
  • Children lugging boxes of recyclable materials to the recycling containers next to Chip.
  • The campus planning committee working with architects and contractors to build and renovate in as green a manner as possible.

You get the idea. Sustainable practices are found in every corner of The School in Rose Valley. And with the help and vision of the Sustainability committee, parents, staff and students, this is only the beginning. We hope you will join us in our efforts to improve the sustainability of our school, and our earth.

In partnership,
Juliana Flower
Board Member and parent of Thomas (3rd grade) and Kate (Kindergarten)

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20 School Lane : Rose Valley, PA 19063 : 610.566.1088 : office@theschoolinrosevalley.org