In
my first two weeks on the job I’ve had the opportunity to engage in an array of
excellent conversations. These are the things that bring about positive change.
I’d like to share a few here in hopes that the reader recognizes the
deliberations, brainstorming, thoughtful planning and interactions that make
sustainability and service something to be proud of at ISKL. In the two weeks
I’ve had the pleasure of working in this new role I’ve had conversations with…
·
… a board member regarding donating her childrens’
outgrown (but still in good condition) uniforms to others who might want one;
·
… the PTA executives in order to put the student directory online and, in so doing,
save thousands of sheets of paper and making the information more accessible;
·
… the HS art department about increasing the
capacity for storing reused and recycled paper;
·
… The Director of Operations and Director of
Grounds and Maintenance in regard to promoting the newly installed water-less
urinals, dual flush toilets and paper-less hand driers at Ampang;
·
… the 1st season varsity and junior
varsity coaches in order to establish a tree-planting day (lead by the HS Earth
Club), giving our student-athletes a chance to actively participate in
offsetting their carbon emissions from team-related travel;
·
… the composting coordinators and participants
who make up a group of 76 families who compost regularly from home;
·
… the HS Earth Club regarding their involvement
and organization of the Community Recycling program;
·
… the MS Activities Coordinator about the need
for tournaments and the environmental costs versus the experiential
opportunities our students are afforded;
·
… the 5th Grade class to brainstorm ideas
for service projects that that go hand-in-hand with Eco-Schools themes;
·
… members of the Technology department about the
manner by which we can ensure appropriate re-use of computers when they have
outgrown their purpose at ISKL, while allowing low-income schools a chance to engage
in educational use of technology in meaningful ways;
·
… with the head of security at Melawati, Sam’s
Canteen and the ES administration to discuss the placement of a digester on
campus;
·
… with the International Fest Coordinator on
ways in which to ensure less waste during this school-wide event;
·
… with the new Ampang canteen vendor (Cheeku) in
regard to reducing the use of single-use plastics, composting, cooking oil
disposal and the possibility of introducing organic foods;
·
… with HS service-related teachers and
administration regarding the organizational structure of the service programs;
·
… with a MS Global Issues teacher, and his Mont
Kiara counterpart, who hope to establish cross-town cooperation with their
classes and clubs, particularly as they relates to the upcoming Global Issues
Network Conference in November;
·
… with Prep-Reception and Prep-Junior teachers in
order to initiate a more comprehensive sustainability education program that
will allow our youngest students a chance to engage in meaningful relationship
with the earth, as well as become comfortable in the natural environment;
·
… with the HS Environmental Officer to ensure
the smooth running of the student-lead Green Council which is responsible for
moving ISKL toward the Eco-Schools Green Flag by 2014;
·
… with various members of the student body to establish
unofficial ‘lunchtime brainstorming sessions’ on how best to reach our
community and make a difference.
The
list could go on, but I am hoping that in reading this we become a bit aware of
what I do in my role as Sustainability & Service Coordinator and, more
importantly, just how much is happening at ISKL by way of service and
sustainability.
Though
it would be naïve to think that each idea will be able to successfully reach
fruition, the conversations in and of themselves should be proof enough that
our community takes its ethical responsibilities seriously and, in so doing,
pledges to make sure that the environment and the world around us are not
overlooked.
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