ASLP as an Eco School

As a school community we all agree that there is a need to pay better attention to our environment and to protect and preserve our environmental resources. Reducing carbon footprints, using green power, saving energy and recycling, are all issues that many communities face in their daily lives. Committing personally and as a whole community to greater environmental consciousness is one of the most important things that we can do as parents, as educators and as a school.

Why should we become an Eco-school?

La evidencia está a nuestro alrededor. With the carbon footprint of so many schools in Europe and the United States already tipping 9m tons CO2 a year, many campaigns to become Eco-Schools are already underway all over the world.

As educators, it is our responsibility to influence our students during a vital formative period of their lives, in order to create a culture of respect, responsibility and understanding of the importance of conservation in an unstable world, which is rapidly using up resources.

Creating a whole school Eco-policy is not only beneficial for enhancing overall sense of community and environmental awareness, but also for bringing together the students, administrators, educators, caretaking staff and the surrounding community.

The American School of Las Palmas wants to take important steps towards this goal and make a commitment to our students and to the environment by educating our staff, students and parents and by helping to enhance awareness of these issues:

• Energy Conservation
• Waste Minimization
• Ecological Literacy

How do we become an ECO-school?

Through school-based action teams of students, administrators, educators and community volunteers, the main goal is the effective “green” management of the school grounds, facilities and the curriculum.

The Zero Waste Challenge

How do we become an ECO-school?

Zero waste is a philosophy, already being carried out in communities throughout the U.S. and Europe. The idea is to encourage waste management and waste prevention so that no trash is sent to landfills and incinerators. The American School of Las Palmas would like to invite you to take part in our Zero waste challenge. Our main objectives are:

1. Reduce the amount of waste the school produces.
2. Reduce waste disposal costs.
3. Protect the environment from pollution
4. Teach our students about resource value, waste minimization and recycling.

How do we do this? Step by step …

Pre-school, parents have already been informed of this strategy and Preschool teachers will be working closely with them and with students in order to reach our objectives.

The Eco- Action Teams and the Eco- Council

Pre-school and Elementary school will have Eco-action teams made up of students and teachers who will meet regularly to come up with ideas and projects to promote environmental awareness, and energy and waste reduction.

In Middle and Upper school there will be an Eco-Council with members elected to represent each grade. All these teams together will form a whole school Eco-Council along with other members of the wider school community.

Involving the community

We would like to thank all parents who have already contributed so generously in recent years by donating bins for recycling. We have observed a positive change in attitudes from students who show interest in learning more about the environmental issues our world is facing. They feel motivated and inspired to be part of a whole community project that is designed not only to educate but to be an example to other schools on the island.

We invite parents who wish to contribute to future projects by sharing ideas, volunteering time or helping to provide resources, to please contact us in writing via the ECO-COUNCIL e-mail: eco-council@aslp.org.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CREATE A SCHOOL COMMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT!

This prestigious anti-bullying program, developed by the Finnish Ministry of Education, has demonstrated effectiveness in rigorous scientific studies. This program aims to prevent bullying and effectively tackle the root of the issue which unfortunately are so common in schools. Our students are an active part of the program and learn how to manage their emotions based on respect and tolerance in order to promote understanding and social sensitivity.

The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Growth Assessment allows us to evaluate student progress, three times a year, in the areas of reading and mathematics from Kindergarten to Second Grade. Starting in Third Grade, we also assess language usage. This tool provides us with real-time, accurate information about each student, thus supporting teachers and students in their common goal: to learn at their highest level.

MAP Growth is not a standardized evaluation experience; it is personalized and flexible. The program identifies and adapts to the level of academic difficulty that the student is able to manage, regardless of the course. This type of assessment challenges the highest performing students without overwhelming those whose skills are below grade level. In addition, each student can take the time they need to finish the test, it can be completed in more than one sitting or even on different days. Likewise, MAP Growth includes a series of accommodations for students with specific educational and/or academic needs. The MAP Growth Assessment is used for grades Kindergarten through 10th grade at ASLP. Families receive a student growth report after each administration and students set SMART goals with their teachers. These goals are then monitored throughout the year with students able to chart their own progress and reflect on their goals.