Green Committee (a/k/a the Wissahickon Sustainability Council)
Cook Wissahickon's Green Committee, known as the Wissahickon Sustainability Council (WSC), is helping transform the school and grounds into an environmentally friendly and more sustainable campus. Formed in 2008, the WSC consists of parents, teachers, neighbors, and local partners, such as the Schuylkill River Project, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, TD Bank, Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC), Philadelphia Water Department, and Councilman Jones's office.
Looking around the school, you will notice many of WSC's accomplishments and projects underway: a native magnolia grove adjacent to the parking lot, two raised bed gardens, a "tree nursery" in the kindergarten yard, and - coming soon - a native plant garden and meadow at the front of the school funded by the Schuylkill River Restoration Project and Councilman Jones's office. The purpose of these projects is to develop an outdoor classroom, manage stormwater (thereby reducing flooding and improving Philadelphia's drinking water), attract wildlife, and extend the habitat of nearby Fairmount Park.
Inside of Cook-Wissahickon, WSC has promoted health and wellness programs including Fuel Up to Play, a Wellness Council, healthy snacks and lunches, and a new energy conservation program. Cook-Wissahickon was 1 of 3 schools selected by the school district and DVGBC to implement this program. Over the course of this school year, students and volunteers aim to reduce the amount of energy used, conserve paper and other resources, improve drinking water, and promote health and wellness.
Because of all of these efforts over the past few years, Cook-Wissahickon was 1 of 5 schools nominated by the school district in 2012 as a "Green Ribbon School," and we hope to be nominated again in 2013. You can contribute to the greening of Cook-Wissahickon by joining WSC, which meets once a month and gathers at the school as needed to complete projects, or be available for weeding and cleaning up the grounds when we need a helping hand. Contact Jeanne Ortiz at dojbo1@hotmail.com. Look for updates on our progress here on this website, through parent packets, and at Home and School Association meeting (and visit our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WissahickonSustainabilityCouncil).
Looking around the school, you will notice many of WSC's accomplishments and projects underway: a native magnolia grove adjacent to the parking lot, two raised bed gardens, a "tree nursery" in the kindergarten yard, and - coming soon - a native plant garden and meadow at the front of the school funded by the Schuylkill River Restoration Project and Councilman Jones's office. The purpose of these projects is to develop an outdoor classroom, manage stormwater (thereby reducing flooding and improving Philadelphia's drinking water), attract wildlife, and extend the habitat of nearby Fairmount Park.
Inside of Cook-Wissahickon, WSC has promoted health and wellness programs including Fuel Up to Play, a Wellness Council, healthy snacks and lunches, and a new energy conservation program. Cook-Wissahickon was 1 of 3 schools selected by the school district and DVGBC to implement this program. Over the course of this school year, students and volunteers aim to reduce the amount of energy used, conserve paper and other resources, improve drinking water, and promote health and wellness.
Because of all of these efforts over the past few years, Cook-Wissahickon was 1 of 5 schools nominated by the school district in 2012 as a "Green Ribbon School," and we hope to be nominated again in 2013. You can contribute to the greening of Cook-Wissahickon by joining WSC, which meets once a month and gathers at the school as needed to complete projects, or be available for weeding and cleaning up the grounds when we need a helping hand. Contact Jeanne Ortiz at dojbo1@hotmail.com. Look for updates on our progress here on this website, through parent packets, and at Home and School Association meeting (and visit our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/WissahickonSustainabilityCouncil).