It’s hard to believe another Friday has rolled around, but here we are…

We’ve got the usual medley of interesting updates and upcoming events, featuring a parent’s excellent account of last week’s subak trek led by John Hardy and attended by many GS families (The lesson I take from this? Never turn down another JH invitation again!), and much, much more.

In this issue:

1. The Cave of the Virgins (aka Subak Adventure!)
2. Alan’s next sessions
3. Parent Education and Inspiration
4. Grade 11 Request for Sacred Childhoods Donations
5. Green Studies Update from Pak Noan
6. ecoBali Recycling
7. House points update from Pak Glenn
8. Grade 11 Green Enterprise Project from Rasa Milaknyte: Aikido Lessons!
9. GS Parents Facebook Page
10. Middle School Dance, May 25
11. Green Riders
12. Macbeth at Green School, Saturday and Sunday,26-27 May
13. Lost and Found Items at Welcome Desk
14. Green School Grandad on a Bike!
15. Links That Make Us Think
16. Our own weekly news

The Cave of the Virgins (aka Subak Adventure!)

GS parent David Facey sent us a copy of his blog post chronicling last weekend’s subak trip with John Hardy. It’s quite long but well worth the read! To see more of David’s musings on life in Bali, check out his blog: http://www.thefaceyfive.blogspot.com/

(Friends, I have been to the Cave of the Virgins and before I rest my head from this wonderfully tiring day, I must tell you of my triumphs. The journey was long and the challenges many; the treasured maidens enjoying every protection they deserved. But we braved these obstacles, and by day’s end the reward was ours: rejuvenation found.)

When you get an email inviting you on a hike leading to the Cave of the Virgins, it’s not one you ignore. In fact, there ought to be an app that would push such notes to the top of your inbox. I immediately accepted, and this morning set out early to join the expedition. John Hardy, one of the Founders of Green School had organized the day and we met at his house – a glorified treehouse of reclaimed teak bridging over koi ponds and catching the tropical breezes from the rice fields and the river valley below. As we fortified ourselves with spiced rice porridge John set the scene for the day. He explained that we would be going by road up the river to explore one of the many hundreds of water diversion systems that allowed this steeply sloped island to host its legendary rice fields. The virgins, it appeared, were a teaser. Just as well really…I had brought with me my dear cousin, Joanna, who had just flown in from South Africa less that 20 hours earlier.

We were to follow one of these canals down its gentle slope, leaving behind the river as it carved its brown-white path through the emerald green valley, dropping at a much faster rate. The purpose: to see the challenges faced as the system designers hundreds of years ago toiled to bring water from the raging river to the tranquil terraces nourishing their rice and the island’s very civilization. Along the way we also hoped to visit a local farm as it processed its recent rice harvest. In the plan was also a stop at the temple where the many spiritual matters related to the Subak (an apparent blend of diocese and irrigation district) were ceremoniously carried out. From there we would trek across terraces, ford the river and seek the cave housing those poor, lovely virgins.

A truck full of "Boulets" (white guys)

As the group assembled and finished their coffees, we prepared to depart and soon followed the hand dug trench that led from the main house, through the rich volcanic earth to the garage, the early morning sun sifting through the palm leaves that covered over the trench to keep it from itself becoming a river in the heavy rains. In fact, to call it a garage gives the wrong image entirely… consider it more bike room, dog kennel, basketball court, coach house. All made of natural materials of course, with a canvass skylight giving the whole cavernous man-room a tent like glow. It was just outside that our transport truck awaited. Apparently John really wanted to create an authentic Bali experience, as we all piled in the back of what was essentially a small dump truck where we were to stand for the 30 minute drive. It was an amusing trip, and thanks to good companionship all warnings to duck as we passed low hanging branches were issued in good time and obeyed without hesitation (there was a slight language issue at one point, however, when us English speakers realized that for those just learning the language, “heads up” was not a useful instruction in these circumstances).

We arrived at our destination and descended on foot into the river valley, gathering at the water’s edge. Here were the civil works for the diversion of the water necessary for the rice fields of the Subak. From this point the intent was to follow the canal as it ran more or less parallel to the river, but allowing the river to fall relative to the canal as the latter maintained a much more level course. Following the canal proved a little dodgy and a river raft accompanied us in the main river to assist those who could not manage the hike.

Things got more interesting when the canal  – a brick-walled, mud-bottomed trench calf to hip deep and two feet wide entered a tunnel. This was a co-ed trip, but it was certainly the testosterone that allowed us to take John at his word that no snakes occupied the canal or the tunnel, and in we went. Within moments the tunnel had taken enough of a turn to plunge us all in utter darkness. Palm fronds brushing our legs instantly lost their innocence. Chris, the school’s Managing Director, expressed some thinly disguised panic as he swatted off a bat that had been fluttering at his chest. One of the Balinese guides had the forethought to bring a flashlight, but could only illuminate one section of the tunnel at any one time. I snapped off a couple of photos, not so much to record the experience as to trigger the flash and gain at least that split second worth of visual data need to better navigate the tunnel and to gauge how much to duck to avoid the tunnel ceiling (and the bats). Another bend and suddenly light. Not the exit, but a place where a window allowed us to see that the tunnel was following a cliff face at that point. Odds were better continuing in the dark.

Soon there was a real break in the tunnel and an opportunity to get out. However, whether due to the vagueness of John’s description of the path around the next section of tunnel, or his assurance that it was only another 20 meters, most of us pressed on. “Pressed” is the operative word here, as the tunnel immediately narrowed to more of a hole and we were forced to our hands and knees. Some gave up and just swam it – a creepy slithering swim, really. And if John ever tells you there is only 20 meters to go – double it…at least.

And so it was that upon emerging from this tunnel, back into the light of day, we felt full of bravado and of life and ready for a cave full of virgins!

We first continued along the canal until we looked down 50 meters (real meters, not John meters) to the river below. And at that point we met the golden-green open expanse of the Subak rice fields. We witnessed where the hand-harvested rice was raked out in the sun to dry and where it was husked. We also saw how the brown layer of germ was removed from the white kernel and discarded in a heap of fine powder…one of the most protein and nutrient rich food sources available. But in the interests of food fashion and shelf life, the rice is polished free of this layer which is instead fed to the nearby pigs!

With full moon poised to rise over the island six hours hence, and with the harvest fresh, it was no surprise that the temple was prepared for ceremony when we arrived. The Head of the Subok was there and administered a blessing on all of us. We had not been told to bring a flashlight for the tunnels, but the message was clear that for the temple a sarong was required.

And still the call of the Cave of the Virgins rang out over the river valley. We set off through the tall rice and descended once again to the valley floor and reunited with the river. Two long bamboo poles had been bound together in what appeared to be fibre glass and placed across the river as a foot bridge. In fact, it served more as a round-edged spring board, bouncing in pronounced exaggeration of the footsteps upon it. One of our group fell out of rhythm with the bridge and was knocked off mid-span just as he tossed his i-Phone to another of us on the far bank. In fact, given our earlier adventures and then sweating under the hot tropical sun, a number of us decided that the virgins deserved better and we opted for a refreshing river swim before carrying on.

Up the far escarpment, we were then led to the Cave of the Virgins. It is common lore across the island that villages indeed hid their virgins in caves to shield them from invading foreigners. The cave was a suspended hole in a high rock wall, accessed now by an old ladder (not CSA approved, I can assure you). Just inside the entrance it was clear that a slot had been carved to once accept a door sliding across the entrance way. Very Indiana Jones. Again we entered the island’s depths, and again… bats. Later, John admitted that while he had known of this cave for 40 years, he had never before been in. “Are you claustrophobic?” someone asked. “No, just scared!” he replied. And it was a bit spooky, the initial shaft heading straight into the cliff for about 15 metres before branching out in two directions. There was little sign left of the virgins, I might point out. I hope that all worked out for them.

With that, we completed the hike at Bamboo Indus, the beautifully rustic hotel owned by John, and located immediately next door to his own home.

Overlooking this wonderful Subok and its magnificent rice fields, we refreshed in the hotel’s dark pool, the waters freshly filtered through volcanic stone and fresh as a Canadian mountain stream…just warmer.

Alan’s next sessions

Please join us next Tuesday and Wednesday (repeat), May  at 3:30 PM as Alan discusses the Practical/Experiential Frame.

Meanwhile, we continue to post more of Alan’s presentation and materials at the following link: http://alan-corner.greenschool.org

Parent Education and Inspiration

Tuesday, May 15, 8:45 AM in Mepantigan (please note early start time)
Balinese Perspective on Conservation; Bali’s New Generation

Join GS parent Gove Depuy and friends for a talk on the background of conservation and the environmental movement in Indonesia, as well as a look at current trends. But first, Green School’s very own Captain FREAK, Asher Yaron, will speak briefly on his insights and discoveries regarding the pit of a certain red or purple fruit that is very close to his heart. You probably won’t need a double latte to get energized for this session, but on the other hand, it couldn’t hurt!

Grade 11 Request for Sacred Childhoods Donations

On Friday, June 8th, Grade 11 will be collecting donations for the Sacred Childhoods Foundation. A beautiful Sanctuary is currently being built for Balinese children who have been faced with extremely unfortunate conditions. This Sanctuary will provide the opportunity for the children to build their future in safe hands. As the children arrive we want the Green School community to warm their living conditions & their backs in the most comforting way.

Donations can include any of the following: Furniture, Toys, Clothes, Kitchen equipment, bedroom-bathroom-laundry materials, & school supplies.

Please help grade 11 and donate any used or new goods to help make the dreams of these children come true.

Also, make yourself familiar with the great work of this amazing NGO on the island: http://www.sacredchildhoods.org/

Please contact Ibu Brynn for any questions brynn@greenschool.org

Green Studies Update from Pak Noan

When one looks at a rice field, it is hard to imagine the number of animals involved in the food chain surrounding rice. Since starting farmer field school, Matt and I have become more aware of the 20 different insects that make rice their home. Matt took the Grade 4 class out to the rice field to study the predator-prey relationships that exist out there. Along with the common pests (brown plant hopper, grasshopper, and white moth) there are a host of predators of these insects, mostly in the form of spiders. In the rice field, spiders really are the farmer’s best friend.

While the middle school students also look at rice in their curriculum, they have stepped back a little, getting a broader picture. I have been running a unit with the Grade 6 students about the Subak system, which interestingly coincided with John’s Subak tour. In the class, we have the discussed principles underlying a good irrigation system, and then went down to a site we found and started to build our own small model of it. Working as a class means that the project requires much cooperation and planning. I was delighted after starting the project last week, that a couple students remained after school to help with some repairs to the system. Before I knew it, there were a dozen students helping to build up our site, from Grade 5 to Grade 8. It was I who eventually gave up at 4:30, asking the students to head back to Heart of School and get home. To me, it bodes well when students stay voluntarily after school, and even join from other classes, to work on a project!

ecoBali Recycling

Green School attempts to maintain a closed waste cycle as much as possible, but for non-organic materials that we can’t dispose of through composting or feeding to the pigs, we work with a great local organization called ecoBali.

You can find out more about them at the link below or by checking out their website, http://www.eco-bali.com/

http://goo.gl/HClFL

House points update from Pak Glenn

The race is tightening up as we head into the last quarter of school.  While Air is still holding on to the  lead, Water is coming on strong after dominating Gypsy Day and winning the grades 5-7 House basketball competition.  Meanwhile, Earth pulled off a win in the grades 1-4 basketball tourney to claim a firm grip on 3rd place and well within striking distance of 1st.  There is still time to turn it on Team Fire!  Stay tuned for the High School basketball tourney coming soon.

1st    Air      3,013
2nd  Water  2,931
3rd   Earth   2,857
4th   Fire     2,769

Grade 11 Green Enterprise Project from Rasa Milaknyte: Aikido Lessons!

Hello, my name is Rasa. I’m a Grade 11 student. Currently Grade 11 students in their Green Enterprise subject are setting up their own businesses. My business is a service – I teach children from 5 to 12 years old aikido. Aikido is a Japanese martial art focused on defense.

Grade 11

Is your child is hyperactive? Can’t sit still and concentrate at school? Often gets sick or has health problems? Sign your child up for my class! The children will learn not just a martial art but discipline, coordination, and self-defense too. Your child will become more responsible and calm. His/her health will improve because of regular practice,  and finally, as a parent you will have more free time. During Aikido lessons children will be wearing organic cotton t-shirts and shorts instead of thick, heavy traditional uniforms. Together we will be saving the environment. The classes will take place at Green School, so you won’t have to bring your child anywhere. The first lesson is for free! Just come, see and sign up your child today!

Lessons start on Monday, May 14, from 3:30 – 4:30 open to ages 5-12. Meet next to the Kindergarten classroom. Bring comfortable shorts and a t-shirt that your child can easily move in. They will be bare foot.

If you want any further information, please check out this website http://aikidoings.weebly.com/ or call me at this number 081246774256.

GS Parents Facebook Page

GS parent Janet Nicol has started a Green School parents FB page that now has over 60 members.

To join, please email her at jmnicol@gmail.com or look for us on Facebook.

Middle School Dance, May 25

Middle School Dance Party!

It’s time to get together with all of our Middle School peers and have fun! The Middle School Student Council has been working hard on a middle school student dance! Join us in the Mepantigan on May 25th.

All of our friends will be arriving at 5:30. Then at around 6:00 we will be having a potluck picnic dinner at twilight on the field. Please bring some food that we can share. The dancing will start as it’s getting dark, about 7-ish. Let us know what you think about the theme for the night by voting disco or formal!  Drop your vote at the Bamboo Post drop box at the Green Warung. We can’t wait to see everyone dancing!

Green Riders

We got this message a few days ago from Kenny Peavy, a good friend of Green School an a leading environmental educator. Read more to find out about a great project for a great cause:

Good morning!
From June – August 2012 Jamie Raskin & Kenny Peavy will be riding bicycles from Thailand to Bali!

Our aim is to raise awareness and inspire action for conservation and social responsibility in South East Asia.

We can’t do it alone.  WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN MANY WAYS!

The GREEN Riders promotional video can be found here:
http://greenriders.asia/

Our Facebook can also be found here..
https://www.facebook.com/GreenRidersSouthEastAsia

PLEASE help us spread the word by LIKING, SHARING and POSTING to your network of friends!

In the future, we will send out more specific information on how to support GREEN Riders, become part of the GREEN Riders network, sponsor GREEN Riders or even join us for part of the ride!!

I have also attached our generic introduction letter.  More info can be found at our website.

In the meantime, check out the GREEN Riders website, Facebook and follow us on TWITTER (info on that can be found ont he website above)  and SPREAD THE WORD
http://goo.gl/4sO3a

Please let us know if you have a need for more information or would like to be part of GREEN Riders by sending an e-mail to: greenridersasia@gmail.com

WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED about the trip and working with you all over the upcoming months to make GREEN Riders a reality!

MANY THANKS!

Kenny

Macbeth at Green School, Saturday and Sunday,26-27 May

As most of you will know from reading the newsletter regularly, rehearsals for Macbeth have been taking place here for the last few months. The performances will take place starting in two weeks. Please see schedule below and spread the word among your friends and neighbors. This is a high energy production of Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest play! Please note that there will be a special free Friday matinee on May 25 for Green School students and staff at 11:00 AM, but parents are kindly requested to attend the weekend performances.

Theatre Firefly proudly presents its latest production, The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare at Green School’s Mepantigan. Two days only: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27. Don’t miss out on this dynamic production featuring demonically possessed Witches, an Amazon Macbeth and fights to the death for the fate of the human soul!

Lost and Found Items at Welcome Desk

Camera Case and Battery found in east side of parents bale	Pink Wallet, found in HOS area
Watch	A Necklace, found near the Welcome Desk during the Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival
Earphone, found in parents bale	Fish Wallet, found in HOS area
Earphone Cases

Green School Grandad on a Bike!

Green School’s own Nikki Macfarlane was inspired by last week’s newsletter piece on the young Frenchman hitchhiking around the world to send us this story about her father Ron, whom many of you have probably met here in Bali. He’s embarked upon a very interesting and ambitious adventure of his own, as follows:

I don’t know if you are interested but thought it might be fun to post something in the next newsletter about Ally and Erinn’s granddad (my dad). He is 68 years old and is currently riding from Australia (he flew to Kathmandu) to Belgium overland on his old 1910 FN motorcycle. The bike originally came from Belgium – he was given a frame years ago when we lived in NZ and he has completely rebuilt the bike to its original condition, which has taken years. He aims to get to Belgium and visit the factory where it was made over 100 years ago.

At the moment he is in Iran – he has travelled from Nepal, down to India, then up to Pakistan and then through the mountain ranges to Iran. The mountains are a challenge as the bike struggles going uphill and he has to help with pedal power. Next he travels into Turkey then on to Europe. So far he has been traveling for 4 months. My mum met him in India and they travelled together for a bit, now she has flown to Iran and meets up with him tomorrow.

He has a blog that has regular updates and information on the bike and his travels – www.oldblokeonabike.com.

Everything so far has gone pretty smoothly – a few problems with having to manage to find replacements for blown tires and broken spokes – but everyone has been incredibly generous and hospitable. Sadly yesterday he set up his tent and while he was away from it for a short time the tent was slashed and his clothes, the solar charger for his phone, and his panniers that carry everything were stolen. Hopefully this doesn’t happen again!

Links That Make Us Think

Pak Glenn sent us this blog post by an American high school student (yes, high school!) who bemoans the ways in which traditional educational models drain creativity from students, and calls for a learning revolution. Sounds like he needs to come see Green School and meet Pak Alan!

http://goo.gl/N0hGm

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool

Without a major international award being received or an afternoon carnival and evening performance taking place (thanks and congratulations again to all high school students, parents and staff who were involved in last week’s events– both were amazing!), by GS standards it’s a pretty quiet Friday here.

But of course, lots is continuing to happen. In this week’s newsletter, there are unmistakable hints that the year is beginning to draw to a close, with updates on the upcoming high school exams and a chance to pre-order an incredible yearbook. We’ve got news from Green Studies, a Kindergarten fundraiser, the Green Warung, and of course the latest sessions from Pak Alan and the Parent Education and Inspiration talks. (This week’s discussion on Third Culture Kids led by Nikki Macfarlane should not be missed.)

In this issue:

1. The Latest from Pak Alan
2. Next Parent Education and Inspiration Session
3. Grade 10 Study Party!
4. News from the Green Warung
5. Bamboo Post: 3rd Issue Now Available!
6. GS Yearbook coming together – Pre-order now
7. Deadline extended for early payment discount
8. Kindy Cookbook
9. Green Studies update from Pak Noan
10. BSSA Sports
11. Looking for Macbeth Extras
12. Middle School assembly speaker: The Hitcher
13. Our own weekly news

The Latest from Pak Alan

The learning continues… Integrate! Illuminate! Initiate!

*NEW: Tues/Thurs, May 8 and 10 (repeat) Alan will present the Thematic Seminar. 3:30-5pm
*NEW: Tues/Wed, May 15 and 16 (repeat) Alan will present Practical Lessons: The Experiential Frame. 3:30-5pm

For all those who attended Alan’s CASE Course on Spirituality and Education, please write to annehockett@me.com so that we can gather everyone’s email. Please RSVP if you can meet Tuesday May 15th at 11 AM in the round bale near HOS. We’ll talk through how best to continue our personal learning for this year and fabulous plans for next year!

Next Parent Education and Inspiration Session

Tuesday, May 8, 9:00 AM in Mepantigan

Third Culture Kids

Green School’s very own Nikki Macfarlane leads an important discussion on Third Culture Kids: how can you maximize the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of raising your children in a different culture. What resources are available to you? Please join us

Grade 10 Study Party!

As IGCSE exam time looms closer for Grade 10, special timetabling arrangements have been made through the month of May to allow more teaching time for Science and Maths. Supplementing this extra tuition was an intensive study weekend run by Ibu Benny and Pak Steve. Saturday saw Ibu Benny lead the class through dissections, experiments and revision. It was a hands-on day of learning that engaged the students in an atmosphere of fun.

Special thanks must go to Grade 11 student Dillon Carpenter who also gave up his time to assist in the running of the experiments and to share his knowledge of the exam process with his peers.

After pizzas, movies and a sleepover Sunday’s focus was maths with Pak Steve. The students worked on various activities to deepen their understanding of the IGCSE content. The afternoon activity was working on Flash cards to help with their memorization of key formulas.

Huge thanks to Nikki and Ross Macfarlane, who hosted the weekend at their home and whose generosity made it possible. Thanks also to Ibu Leslie for facilitating the event and acting as chaperone for the sleepover.

Ibu Benny & Pak Steve.

News from the Green Warung

Did you know that the Green Warung is now being run by Ibu Kadek, the executive chef and culinary mastermind behind what some have called the best school food on earth? (I don’t think an official award exists yet but if they ever create it Green School would have to be in the running!) Under her direction, you’ll be seeing some changes, including a move towards healthier snacks during the school day. In addition, there is now an array of prepared foods available for sale, including different types of sambal and pasta sauces, and with a day’s notice you can order some of the finest baked goods on the island (the cupcakes and carrot cake are to die for).Organic brown rice in a beautiful palm leaf wrapper is also on offer, and soon there will be a daily selection of freshly harvested vegetables from the school gardens. Keep your eyes open, and terima kasih banyak to Ibu Kadek and her staff…

Bamboo Post: 3rd Issue Now Available!

GS Yearbook coming together – Pre-order now

Here’s a link to some proofs to the 2011-2012 Green School Yearbook. We are incredibly fortunate to have had two GS parents and world-class photo and design talents donate a huge amount of their time and talent to this project. Thanks Mike Clarke and Cece Wong! The yearbooks will be eco-friendly, printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink, and will sell for IDR 200,000 per copy. Reserve your copy now by seeing Yani at the Welcome Desk in HOS or emailing yani@greenschool.org

Deadline extended for early payment discount.

A number of families have expressed their intentions to take advantage of the early payment discount, but have had difficulties navigating Bali’s restrictive banking hours.  In recognition of this challenge, we have extended the early payment deadline to May 15th.  All returning Green School families paying for 2012-2013 tuition in full prior to this deadline will receive a 5% discount.  Please email your payment intention to accounts@greenschool.org if you haven’t already done so.

Kindy Cookbook

The Kindergarten is going to do a release of our cookbook that we have worked so hard on over the last few months.  It contains nutritious recipes that the children have learned to cook.  The book also features Yoga poses, as we have learned about taking care of our bodies by practicing yoga 4 times a week.  We will sell the cookbooks for 100,000 rupiah.  Along with this launch, we are planning to sell pizza for 25,000/slice.  All proceeds will go to the Sumatran Orangutan Society, because the children feel very passionate about saving this precious animal. This will all happen starting at assembly on Friday May 11th.

Thanks,

Ibu Jen

Green Studies update from Pak Noan

In the early years, it is important to establish a relationship with nature, and that is precisely what Green Studies aims to do for children in Pre-K and Pre-K Prep. In the spirit of exploration, the kids went out on an adventure. They ran across logs, jumped from ominous looking stairs, and climbed the sheer walls of rice terraces. While out with the Pre-K we witnessed a hair-raising sight: a praying mantis that had been taken over by parasitic horse-hair worms! The worms were twice as long as the mantis, and were slowly emerging from the rear end of the mantis. It turns out that this worm takes control of the mantis’ brain, driving it towards water where it leaps to its death and completes the worm’s life cycle. (You can see a video–not taken here– of this phenomenon at the following link, if you dare!

Matt has been keeping the Grade 5′s busy with their new chickens. They will reach the 100th egg harvested this week! They have also kept busy thinking about whether the world would be better off without humans. Fortunately, they came to the conclusion that while we are pretty destructive beasts, the best solution would be for us to live in better equilibrium with nature. Meanwhile, the 1st graders are setting up their own Buvarium, which is a butterfly habitat. They are collecting the materials to make the butterflies feel at home, and studying the life cycle of these fascinating fellows. Many of the primary kids have had a chance to reap the seed that they sowed as they got to harvest their veggie patches.

In the Middle School students have been busy exploring Bali’s Subak system. I never appreciated how big of an engineering feat it is to get irrigation across the dramatic terrain of Bali. Playing with some small pieces of pipe and looking around the Green School Campus my views quickly changed though, and now truth be told, I am really impressed. In the coming weeks, the Grade 6 students will attempt as best as they can to irrigate a sloped terrain, having to use terraforming as a means to accomplish their goals. And that…. is the week from the greener side of the fence!

BSSA Sports

BSSA ATHLETICS:
Track and Field practice began last week and will continue every Wednesday 3.15-4.30pm

The BSSA Athletics meet is on Monday 4 June at Kompyang Stadium, Denpasar and we’re looking at around 35 students representing the school!

BSSA SURFING:
Good luck to Sonny in Gr6 who will be representing Green School at the BSSA surfing contest in Kuta this week!

Cheers
Pak Colin

Looking for Macbeth Extras

For the past month Green School has been hosting rehearsals of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, with public performances to be held at the end of May. Ibu Sarita tells us that the director is looking for several extras aged 10 and up to appear in some fight scenes. Aside from the desirability of owning a pair of combat (or combat-like) trousers, the commitment required for being in the show is as follows. Please see Ibu Sarita if interested in participating or email sarita@greenschool.org

Rehearsals:
Saturday 19 May Rehearsal 1 PM to 4 PM
Monday 21 May 4PM to 6 PM. (If they can’t do the Saturday, the Monday is fine.)
Thursday, 24 May, Dress Rehearsal 4 PM-6 PM

Performances:
Friday, 25 May afternoon matinee for students
Saturday 26 May-  6 PM call time for 7 PM show
Sunday 27 May 10 AM call time for 11.30 AM matinee
Sunday 27 May 6 PM call time for 7 PM show.

Middle School assembly speaker: The Hitcher

One of my favorite things about life in Bali, and especially at Green School, is all the interesting characters who seem to make their way through here. One of the most intriguing people we’ve met lately is a young Frenchman named Jeremy Marie. Nearly five years ago he left Normandy for an incredible adventure: he’s been hitchhiking around the world ever since! Aside from the expected conveyances (cars, trucks, motorbikes, sail boats, freighters), he’s managed to hitch rides in some more unusual modes of transport, including donkey carts and airplanes. Last week Jeremy came to share his story with students in the middle school. He reckons he still has at least 18 months of travel ahead of him before he makes it back home. On his journey, Jeremy seeks to learn as much as he can about the different cultures, and he spreads a message of tolerance, curiosity and goodwill. And while he’s found himself in a few difficult scrapes along the way, on the whole he has received warm and generous hospitality on the roads of six continents.  A great story, and a great message for all of us. Here’s a link to a video about Jeremy:

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool

” Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.”
Edward Everett

As I write this, I’m soaking up the sights and sounds (and smells) of the Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival wafting up from below. Just another extraordinary Friday afternoon at Green School! Thanks to the many people who made this event such a success.

There are plenty of updates in this weeks news, including a piece on Green energy, a special invitation from John Hardy, and online access to some of Alan Wagstaff’s presentations. And much, much more…

In this issue:

1. Green School Energy Update
2. Exploring The Magical Subak With John Hardy
3. Alan Wagstaff Seminar Dates, plus downloadable content now available
4. Encore performance of Grade 11’s 2012 End of Time Performance
5. Parent Education and Inspiration,  Tuesday, 1 May at 9:00 AM
6. “Brain Child” workshop for practical arts
7. Green School Water
8. Yoga Teachers at Green School
9. Green School Videos
10. New After school activity for Grades 4 and up
11. Links that Make Us Think
12. Join the Green SuperCamp this July!
13. Our own weekly news

Green School Energy Update

As most of you know, Green School took its first significant steps towards becoming energy self-sufficient last month with the roll-out of the solar project, which is now powering Heart of School and the adjacent administrative office structure. GS parent and Green Energy committee member David Facey sent us this update on all of our renewable energy efforts.

Green School aims to be off the electricity grid and to supply all its own power needs with sustainable energy generated on-campus. And it’s happening fast!

Why all the effort? Without these projects, Green School would be reliant on the national utility to supply its power. But this energy is produced largely by burning fossil fuels which are significant emitters of greenhouse gasses – major contributors to climate change. Continued reliance on these power sources is inconsistent with the Green School philosophy of minimizing its environmental footprint. It is also expensive and likely to get more so. Investing in our own supply of clean renewable energy we not only reduce our environmental footprint, we also save the school money, freeing up resources for education-related investments.

Like any complex project, the Energy Management Plan is made up of different elements.

Reducing Power Consumption
First we assessed how much power the school uses. We also did some research into how these consumption levels could be reduced and found a number of opportunities to be more efficient. Already several projects are in progress to reduce water pumping needs, to reduce energy used in cooking, to make lighting more efficient and to switch off electricity when the school is not operating. Future work will see the addition of energy management control systems which will automatically monitor and optimise energy usage. Our ultimate goal is to reduce the school’s use of electricity from 184 kWh per day to only 60 kWh per day.

Generating Power from the Sun
Green School has installed solar panels that will allow it to generate power from the Bali sun’s plentiful rays. This will supply most of the school’s electrical needs. The solar system is comprised of 108 solar panels with a total power output of around 55 kWh of electricity on a sunny day. The solar panels feed power into a bank of 72 batteries capable of storing 130 kWh of electricity (as much as Green School will consume over two days, once consumption levels are brought down).

Generating Power from the River
The basic infrastructure to harness the river’s power was built five years ago. The idea is to divert a portion of the river flow through a short tunnel and into what can best be described as a large concrete toilet bowl (more technically referred to as a vortex). Water accelerates around the bowl as a whirlpool, until going down the “drain” and returning to the river.  When the project is complete, a simple fish-friendly generator will be installed in the whirlpool, generating up to 88 kWh of electricity every day. This will  be  available for the school’s use and to charge its batteries.

Appreciation
In addition to the vision provided by John and Cynthia Hardy, these projects have come to life due to the generous funding, support and expertise provided by the France-based Akuo Energy, and with the help of contributions from Marc Pop, George Pegios, Ben and Blair Ripple and Mariana Arambasil. The entire Green School community would like to thank them all for allowing the realization of this dream.

Green School is proud to demonstrate leadership in its responsible production and usage of energy. By reducing how much electricity we need we learn valuable lessons about conservation. By being thoughtful about the way we produce the energy we do require, we  become aware of the power that exists around us and how to harness it. And by generating our own power right on campus we avoid the need to run wires across the landscape to deliver what we can make for ourselves “on site”. In all of this, our students gain awareness and insights that we hope they will remember every time they flick a light switch…not just now, but even after they leave Green School.

Green School is very excited by these projects. As they are completed, our goal of powering our own needs using clean, renewable power will be achieved. And that’s the power of Green School!

EXPLORING THE MAGICAL SUBAK WITH JOHN HARDY

TIME: Saturday May 5th at 7 AM. We should be done by 10:30.
LOCATION: Ibu Mangku’s chicken warung, which is just up the road from the Four Seasons on the Sayan Road in Ubud.
CONTACT: This is limited to 10 people. If interested please write to Risa (risa@greenschool.org) and Yuni (yuni@johnbali.com).

We have a wonderful opportunity for a private walk and tour with John Hardy to see the magnificent Subak water system here in Bali.

We will start at the genesis of the subak which covers Bongkasa and heads down the river. We will see how it all starts and heads off to 2km of tunnels. We will visit the genesis of rice in Bali, the springs that created marshes beside the river that turn into the rice paddies before the subak system.

We will have with us also the best rice farmer John knows, Pak Made. We will hopefully encounter harvesting, planting, and may see some ducks at work. If we can arrange it we’ll visit a cave which was part of the original subak system.

If interested please write to Risa (risa@greenschool.org) and cc Yuni (yuni@johnbali.com). We only have places for 10 people given the logistics so this will be on a first come first serve basis. We apologize if we cannot accommodate everyone. If enough interest we’ll do again.

Alan Wagstaff Seminar Dates, plus downloadable content now available

Pak Alan’s sessions continue this coming week on Tuesday, 1 May at 3:30 PM, 2nd floor, HOS, on the topic of ILPs, with a Thursday afternoon repeat.

We’ve heard from many parents who have been unable to attend Alan’s sessions for various reasons but would like to be able to access the information he has been presenting. For those, and for anyone else who would like a refresher, we’ve now created a Dropbox section of the website where Alan’s files can be viewed and downloaded. Here is the link: http://alan-corner.greenschool.org

So far, you’ll find Powerpoints of Alan’s first and second sessions, on the shift from subject-centered to student-centered learning and successful strategies for early readers (95% Rule, TAP, PAT), with lots of supporting documentation for the latter. There is also a developmental checklist for six year-olds. We’re working on a better layout and will be adding new material as we receive it, but for now hopefully this is a good start. Thanks for sharing, Pak Alan!

Encore performance of Grade 11’s 2012 End of Time Performance, Saturday, 28 April at 7:00 PM

We’re still several hours away from the inaugural performance, but if the rehearsals that have been taking place all week are any indication, this is going to be a powerful multimedia show.

And good news, if were unable to attend on Friday, a repeat performance is being offered Saturday night. Hope to see you there!

Parent Education and Inspiration,  Tuesday, 1 May at 9:00 AM

Please join us this Tuesday for the next in the series of Parent Education and Inspiration talks:

Sustainable building
A look at sustainable building practices and the materials used
Presenter: Chris from Little Tree

“Brain Child” workshop for practical arts: Where thoughts take shape

Here’s an update from Pak Oded about a new workshop that has been created at one end of the gym, plus a request for donations:

Over the last few months Green School has built a new space. On the west side of the gym, squeezed in next to the road there is a new classroom devoted learning the practical arts. We have realized the importance of learning how to transform imaginary ideas into objects. Student now have a place where they can learn design, transform their design  to the material of choice, make tools, learn how to use them safely and have the patience to see a  project finished. We will work with different materials (Bamboo, wood, metal, stone, etc). We will bring in local guest artisans and mechanics as needed for special skills. We would like to build a blacksmithing station to learn how to forge and cast metals. At this time we have a few students from middle and high school who are learning to work with bamboo, making model houses, a raft and boxes. A group of 10th and 11th grade students are rebuilding an old motorbike.

We are in the process of equipping the workshop and we would like to ask parents to donate any tools that you have that are not in use at home. We need hand tools (hammers, chisels, screwdrivers, etc.) and mechanical tools (drills, ranches, saws, etc. We would love to see you come for a visit!

Oded Carmi

Green School Water

We’ve just completed an extensive (and rather expensive) renovation of our filtration system for Green School’s well water.

We’re happy that members of the community are sharing this resource, but given that there are costs associated with it, we’d like to humbly request that anyone doing so contribute IDR 10,000 per large bottle refill. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Yoga Teachers at Green School

You’re never too young to work on that Downward Facing Dog! On Friday, April 13, Pre-K Prep, 2A and 2B were visited by a group of children’s yoga teachers led by the Brazilian Beta Lisboa.  Students in Pre-K Prep enjoyed playing Yoga Duck Duck Goose and trying some new yoga poses.  They created a giant flower together with their bodies and sang.  Students from Grade 2 also engaged in new poses as they continued their study of yoga.

Ibu Russlee

Green School Videos

Kindergarten’s own Chenoa Thompson has gone viral in the blogosphere with her polar bear song. Click on the link to find out why!

And for anyone who missed Earth Day at Green School last week (by the way, in case you didn’t hear, we were named “2012 Greenest School on Earth”!), here’s a nice video of all of the events.

Thanks to Peter Wall for putting both of these together…

New After school activity for Grades 4 and up, Tuesday afternoons: Graphic Design and Blogging with Pak Noan and visiting designer Aran Baker

What is it?
Create your own blog or learn to use a variety of graphic design software…. or combine the two for maximum digital creative potential! The hour is dedicated to free format digital publishing.

When do I go?
Tuesday after school. (15:30 – 16:30) in the Computer lab

What do we blog or design?
Comics, commentary, short stories, poetry, journals, travel guide, photos, pretty much any media you would like!

What skills do I need to join?
None whatsoever…. anybody is welcome, and can blog in any language about anything, or create designs for the pure joy of it.

Why should I go?
It is fun (seriously, no format, no word limits, and no purpose makes writing amazing), it is challenging (not like uuuuuhhh challenging, but ahhhh! challenging), it can change the world (and already has to a certain degree), and it can help you make better projects and presentations.

Links that Make Us Think

A GS parent and recovering sugar addict who has asked to remain anonymous sent along the following link. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!

Join the Green SuperCamp this July!

From our friends at Green SuperCamp:

Following the success of our Camps in 2011, we will be holding the next Junior and Senior Green SuperCamp this July. Green SuperCamp is a unique partnership between Green School and  SuperCamp (the world leader in Summer Enrichment camps for students). The Junior Camp is open for students from 11 to 13 years old and the Senior Camp is open for students from 14 to 17 years old. It will be taking place from 7th July to 13th July and from 16th July to  22nd July respectively.

It’s an exciting initiative that brings transformational results in both life and learning skills for the students who attend, preparing teens for the future. Many students will be flying in from around the world for this event. There will also be a ‘Parent Camp’ for parents of the students attending to understand how to make the most of the leadership and accelerated learning skills that are at the core of Green SuperCamp.
You can find out more about Green SuperCamp by visiting www.greensupercamp.com
Email info@greensupercamp.com and Quote ‘Green School’ for a special Green School rate!

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool

Chenoa Thompson, a kindergarten student at Green School Bali, wrote this song about polar bears for earth day.

On April 20th, 2012, Green School, Bali was awarded the 2012 “Greenest School on Earth” award by Rachel Gutter from the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council.

“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another. ”
Gilbert K. Chesterton

It’s been a big week here, capped by the presentation of the 2012 Greenest School on Earth award at this afternoon’s Earth Day assembly by Rachel Gutter of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. Wow!

In the link below you’ll find more details on that, plus a letter from the Green School founders, John and Cynthia Hardy, updates from Green Studies and high school science (with videos) and reminders about many upcoming events next week. Don’t miss next Friday’s (April 27) afternoon Grade 9 & 10 Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival followed by the Grade 11 Musical Theater performance. Plus, we have more of Pak Alan’s learning sessions and the second in our Parent Inspiration and Education talks.

In this issue:

1. Message from the Founders
2. Green School Bali awarded “2012 Greenest School on Earth”!
3. Alan Wagstaff Seminar Dates
4. Parent Education and Inspiration
5. Green Studies Update from Pak Noan
6. Green School Science is Fun!
7. Reminder: Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival Friday afternoon, 27 April
8. Reminder from the Finance Department
9. BSSA Sports Update from Pak Colin
10. Ibu Sarita Sells her Children’s Music to Raise Money
11. Dr. Ating in the news
12. Links That Make Us Think
13. Our own weekly news

Message from the Founders

When we first had thoughts about building a school we met a visionary educator named Alan Wagstaff and John read Three Springs (http://www.greenschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Three-Springs.pdf). He immediately sent Alan an inquiry asking, “Can I see this project? This is a dream”. Alan laughed and replied “It doesn’t exist yet!”
So I guess in a way Three Springs inspired Green School.

A lot of things have happened since then. The great news is Alan is back and inspiring the world, Green School is built and this Earth Day, Rachel Gutter, Head of the Center for Green School at the U.S. Green Building Council from Washington, D.C. is in Bali and here at Green School today; she will give us the award as 2012 Greenest School on Earth.

This is a huge declaration. We are working hard everyday to become more and more green. It’s a long process.  Akuo Energy was generous enough to give us solar panels, the energy team has put them in place and they’re powering more and more of the school. The vortex, which has been a very long project (also funded by Akuo Energy), is going ahead. It should be making electricity in the next few months. That will likely take us entirely off the grid.

I was on TED.com the other day and I find it a constant source of inspiration. I came upon my Green School talk and saw that it had almost 500,000 views. This really shocked me because the last time I saw it the viewership was at  20,000. If you want to pass my talk along to some people, I’d like to hit 1,000,000. It would be a real highlight in my life and the life of Green School. http://www.greenschool.org/2010/11/18/john-hardys-ted-lecture-now-live/)

Thank you for your support.

We have come a long way, and it’s a long, long journey. But the dream is to create green leaders for the future.

Love,

John and Cynthia Hardy

PS. Elora Hardy, the next generation, just had her talk at INK Conference, India in association with TED. It went live today. Please have a look if you have a minute.

Elora Hardy, Building a sustainable (bamboo) future : http://www.inktalks.com/discover/116/elora-hardy-building-a-sustainable-bamboo-future

Green School Bali awarded “2012 Greenest School on Earth”!

As noted above, we’ve had a very special visitor in Bali and at Green School this week. Rachel Gutter directs the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (the organization that offers the LEED accreditation for environmentally friendly buildings) and at this afternoon’s Earth Day Assembly she presented us with the award as 2012 Greenest School on Earth. Given our focus on sustainability issues, it would be difficult to describe us as a dark horse contender for this honor, but this is still pretty amazing recognition from one of the the world leaders in green education and building. Rachel noted that “I have probably visited more green schools than anyone else on the planet, but nothing comes close to Green School Bali!”

Along with the award, Rachel announced that the Center for Green Schools and the USGBC will also be sponsoring the education of one of our Balinese scholars for the 2012-2013 school year. We are very grateful for their generosity. Huge thanks and terima kasih from Green School!

Alan Wagstaff Seminar Dates

Attendance at Pak Alan’s talks continues to be strong! Here is a list of the upcoming sessions:

Parent Education and Inspiration, this coming week on Wednesday (not Tuesday!) at 9:00 AM

Thanks to the many of you who came to Avara and Steve’s raw foods session last week. Again, this week’s session is on Wednesday instead of Tuesday:

Local Plants
An introduction to plant identification and the health and healing properties of plants
Presenter: Sumaday

Green Studies Update from Pak Noan

In the early years, it is important to establish a relationship with nature, and that is precisely what Green Studies aims to do for children in PreK and PreK prep. In the spirit of exploration, the kids went out with the challenge of finding as many colours in the rainbow as possible. Using their eyes they looked for whatever attracted them, and I snapped a photo of it. The resulting photo is the one you see above, all found just around the early learners area.

Elementary school is also connecting to nature in a very real way. Matt has created new Green Studies versions of the spiritual exploration pieces Alan has been teaching the staff about. The students have gone on walks in the forest, looking for items that call out to them. The responses to why they chose their item were sometimes deep and profound. Who says that kids can’t deal in the metaphysical!

The middle school has been busy working in the coconut industry. The Grade 6 students worked on creating carbon filters. They were originally supposed to use coconut carbon, which came from the shell of the coconut. We currently have enough carbon powder to activate and use as a filter agent, but need to process it further. If interested, ask a Grade 6 what the purpose of the carbon is in the filter and they should be able to tell you. Likewise, the Grade 7 class worked with coconuts, but instead used them to create coconut oil. The entire class worked diligently to turn a bag of old coconuts into a few cups of coconut milk and then coconut oil. Since we did not get all the coconut meat processed in class time, some students came over lunch and after school to finish the job.

Green School Science is Fun!

GS High School Science teacher Ibu Benny passed along these recent videos made by students in Grades 10 and 11. They are great examples of the fact that learning, even in the hard sciences, can be engaging and joyful. (Quick, without using Google, how many of you know what electroplating is? )

Isami & Gikas Project Grade 11

Electroplating Grade 10

Reminder: Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival Friday afternoon, 27 April

This promises to be a fun afternoon for the whole family, so please join us! So that the younger children in the school can also enjoy the carnival, we may be starting a bit earlier in lieu of an afternoon assembly. Stay tuned for news on that…

Grade 11 “End of Time Party 2012” Performance: Friday, 27 April at 7:00 PM (following Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival)

Since the beginning of the school year, Grade 11 has been working with a series of mentors to create an original performance piece, something all their own.  Next Friday, April 27th, they are bringing it home!  Directly after the Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival in a transformed Mepantigan, Grade 11 invites you to “End of Time Party 2012“.  Here is a short interview with their director, Ibu Sarita, with more information about this exciting performance:

GS:
What should we expect to happen next Friday night?

Ibu Sarita:
Grade 11 is a uniquely talented class.  They have created an intimate experience for the audience where they can highlight many of their diverse talents.  There will be live painting, original songs as well as covers from distinct eras, lots of incredible dancing and a pretty righteous message that doesn’t come on too strong, but ties the story together.

GS:
What is that message?

Ibu Sarita:
Well, basically, the students use the impending end of the Mayan calendar to reflect upon the fact that, in almost every era, there were some pretty intense circumstances and a subculture of people who used the tension in the air to inspire their art, their writing and their music.  We are magically transported to underground scenes from different eras.

GS:
Wow!  Will there be smoke machines?

Ibu Sarita:
Of course!

GS:
Is the show appropriate for all ages?

Ibu Sarita:
As one of the students put it “young kids with liberal parents” are more than welcome. There is a positive message but it is not rated G.   One thing though…if your intuition tells you that your child might melt down during the show, it may be best to take them home after the Carnival.  We do hope to share our performance with as many people as possible and we believe the Mepantigan will fill up fast, so please be sure to snag your seats by 6:50 :)

Reminder from the Finance Department

Two weeks left for Tuition Discount!

Reminder from Finance team to Green School families:

If you have indicated your intention to pay tuition for a full year, you may be eligible to receive a discount. 5% will be deducted from the full tuition amounts for returning Green School families if paid in full prior to May 1st. Please click HERE to inform our Finance team of your payment schedule selection.

BSSA Sports Update from Pak Colin

Big congratulations to all our cross country runners for a great effort in BSSA meet held at Green School last Wednesday.

Green School came 3rd overall out of the 10 schools participating:
1. Canggu Community School 101
2. Dyatmika 88
3. Green School 73
4. Bali International School 63
5. Sanur Independent School 35
French International School 35
7. Australian International School 26
8. SLK 11
9. Gandhi
10.Sunrise

Special well done to Camilla in Gr 8 who won the 13/14 girls event!

BSSA Athletics

Training starts on Wednesday 2 May at 3:15pm
Cheers
Pak Colin

Ibu Sarita Sells her Children’s Music to Raise Money for upcoming Performing Arts Performances!

Did you know that besides being Green School’s Drama teacher, Ibu Sarita has been writing, performing and recording music for children for over 15 years? Many of her original songs will be featured in the upcoming Green School Cabaret and for a limited time, three of her CDs will be on sale at Green School. Ibu Sarita has donated her music to the continuing development of our Performing Arts department!  50% of all CD sales will go towards our upcoming shows (costumes, props, lighting, sound, etc).  The three CDs will be available (starting this Monday) at Freak Coffee and at the Welcome desk for 100,000 each. They make great gifts for friends and family back home and feature many songs that Ibu Sarita plans to integrate into the Green School culture…so stock up, grab some great music and support the Performing ARTS.  Here is a link of a music video of Ibu Sarita from the “bubblejuice” album:  Blow Another Bubble

Dr. Ating in the news

Here’s a nice piece on Dr. Ating’s efforts to promote conservation in Sulawesi, written by GS parent Nicole Curry. Keep up the great work, Dr. Ating!

http://issuu.com/ember-magazine/docs/ember_issue1_issuu (pages 72-74)

Links That Make Us Think

At least three people sent me this link last week. It’s a beautiful story about an entrepreneurial 9 year-old and the community that comes out to support his efforts:

Here is an inspiring story of a young man born blind and physically challenged and the incredible devotion of a loving father. It will put a different perspective on your day, may bring a tear to your eye and will highlight the potential that exists in all of us.

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool

Japan Society of Research on Early Childhood Care and  Education which is the biggest and the most prestigious Early Childhood Education association in the country with researchers and teachers.

You’ll find detailed information on next Friday’s (April 20) day-long celebration of Earth Day at GS. Parents are invited to be here for all events, the whole day long, and we’re still looking for volunteers to help out. The same goes for the Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival taking place the following Friday afternoon, 27 April– even half-hour increments would be useful if you would like to get involved.

In this issue:

1. Earth Day Letter from Pak Andy
2. Alan Wagstaff Seminar Dates
3. Parent Education and Inspiration, beginning this coming Tuesday
4. Special Assembly, Music Performance by Nahko and Medicine for the People
5. Green Community: Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival, Musical Theater Evening
6. Green Studies Update from Pak Noan
7. Food consumption habits survey
8. Grade 8 English Class Mock Trial Report from Ibu Mary
9. Ibu Margot Introduces New Artist in Residence, Alexandra Robb
10. BSSA Update from Pak Colin: Sports Dates for the rest of the term
11. Invitation to Join Basecamp and Help Us Build Green Community
12. New After School Program on Wednesdays: Face Painting for Ages 6-16
13. Compass Club Ayung Rafting Trip, 22 August– Last Chance to Sign Up!
14. 4th Annual YRS Women’s Health Fund-raiser April 19
15. IDEP Permaculture Course, starting April 25
16. Links that Make Us Think
17. Green School Family Business Plug of the Week!
18. Our own weekly news

Earth Day Letter from Pak Andy

Dear Green School Families,

Our big Earth Day celebration is just around the corner Friday, April 20th! We have been excitedly busy here at school preparing a fun and engaging day for the children and we wanted to share an outline of the day with you. The morning will be filled with activities around school and the local community, and in the afternoon there will be an exciting assembly that will include musical treats from our very own marimba band!

Students and teachers are encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite species (for house points)—all animals and insects are welcome! Also, we will be hosting an Upcycle Fashion Show at our afternoon assembly and are encouraging all students to get busy now to create a new piece of fashion or an accessory to show off during the show. Please support your children at home as they create these new fashions from old materials! Check out these links:
http://upcycle-fashion.blogspot.com/
http://diyfashion.about.com/od/recycledprojects/Recycled_DIY_Fashion.htm
http://empirestudent.com/Alissa%20Phelps/recyled%20fashion.htm

Here’s a look at the day:

8:30-9:00 Assembly
A gathering of students, teachers, and parents to welcome everyone to the day of celebration in honor of Mother Earth. There will be a Balinese welcome dance performed by teachers and students, Earth songs and chants, Earth Day poetry, and an All Species Parade—a time for the students to show off their costumes!

9:00-10:00 Community service: Clean the Community!
Students will gather in their House Teams and head out into the local village to gather garbage and recyclables! Volunteers needed!

10:00-10:30 Break

10:30-12:30 Activity Extravaganza
Students will be all over campus and in various classrooms doing fun and creative Earth-themed projects. Each student gets to choose three activities in which to participate. Volunteers needed!

*Pre K Prep, Pre K, and Kindy will run their own rotations in the Early Years area.

12:30-1:15 Lunch and NGOs
A zero waste Green Foods lunch. NGOs from all over the island will be in Heart of School to share information about their projects.

1:15-2:00 A View of Earth
All are invited to watch segments of the Planet Earth movie in the gym!

2:15-3:30 Assembly
The closing assembly is going to be amazing! There will be student’s performing, Earth Trivia, an Upcycle Fashion show (clothing and accessories made using recycled materials to make clothing and accessories), more Earth Day Poetry, a look at how Green School has contributed to the Billion Acts of Green and the GS Eco-Challenge, and the Marimba Band will play with special guests to finish it off!

Also during this assembly Green School will be presented with an extremely exciting and prestigious award in recognition of our amazing efforts as a school. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this special presentation!

So, how can you help? As with any big school event we are in great need of parent support and volunteers. Most of our need is in the morning supporting teachers as they run activities and in supporting students as they participate in the various activities. We’d love your help! Please contact your child’s teacher to volunteer! Also, please support your child in creating an Upcycle Fashion for the big show during the afternoon assembly!

Alan Wagstaff Seminar Dates

It’s been wonderful to see so many parents at Pak Alan’s talks so far. Here is a list of the upcoming sessions, including a few new topics. If you would like to attend the CASE seminar on spirituality in education being held at Anne Hockett’s house this coming Monday and Wednesday, please remember to RSVP to Pak Andy (andys@greenschool.org). Also, Alan has requested that all participants bring a writing implement plus an item that is of intense emotional significance to them, whatever that may be. So far 30 people have signed up for the CASE workshop!

Parent Education and Inspiration, beginning this coming Tuesday

Every Tuesday at 9am from April 17-May 15
Exception: Wednesday, April 25

Another reminder about this series of upcoming talks for the parent community. These begin this coming Tuesday with a session by Avara Yaron and Steve Munroe, the Green School parents and entrepreneurial forces behind the soon to be opened Living Food Lab, now being built just opposite the FREAK Coffee stall. Come on out and support Green School’s own as they host a discussion around nutrition, conscious eating and their experiments with eating raw, living food. No preaching or teaching, just a sharing of their personal experiences and an opportunity for parents to to do the same. As a basis for learning and discussion, info will be provided on the impact your diet can have on your health and the environment, and on the links between diet and learning. Sweet treats shared for those who come out and join the discussion!

Tuesday, April 17 (Confirmed)
Why Raw?
An introduction to raw foods and the benefits of a raw diet
Presenters: Avara Yaron and Steve Munroe, Founders of The Living Food Lab @ Green School

Wedneday, April 25 (Confirmed) – PLEASE NOTE THIS IS WEDNESDAY
Local Plants
An introduction to plant identification and the health and healing properties of plants
Presenter: Sumaday

Tuesday, May 1 (Confirmed)
Sustainable building
A look at sustainable building practices and the materials used
Presenter: Chris from Little Tree

Tuesday, May 8 (Confirmed)
Third Culture Kids
What are TCKs and how does growing up in a third culture impact a child’s experience
Potential Presenter: Nikki Macfarlane

Tuesday, May 15 (Confirmed)
Balinese Perspective on Conservation; Bali’s New Generation
A look at current conservation efforts in Bali and how the new generation of Balinese are
working to preserve Bali’s natural beauty
Presenter(s): Gove DuPuy and friends

Tuesday, May 22 (Confirmed)
Waste management
Waste management issues on Bali and the efforts to change what is happening
Presenter: Olivier from Bali Recycling

Special Assembly, Tuesday, 17 April, 2:15-3:15: Music Performance by Nahko and Medicine for the People

Nahko and Medicine for the People

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
Green School Assembly (Mepantigan)
2:15 – 3:15 pm

Spirited Thump-Hop Storytelling (USA)

An energetic troubadour bringing “truth to the youth”, Nahko and Medicine for the People inspire moral and spiritual values thru music to youth everywhere.

Hawaii and Portland, Oregon based Nahko and Medicine for the People travel near and far using music as their vehicle to foster self-action and healing. Their lyrics and activities make it clear that at the center of their mission lies the belief that the power of inclusion will always overshadow the walled-boundaries of exclusion. It should thus come as no surprise that their songs and performances draw you in with supreme force and magnetic charm.

Don’t miss this special assembly!

Green Community: Friday, 27 April Grade 9 & 10 Gypsy Hoodoo Carnival, plus Grade 11 Musical Theater Evening, 3:30 PM- 8:00 PM

Grab your tambourine, dig out those hoop earrings and accordions and join us for a bohemian caravan style fundraiser, complete with fortune tellers, schemers, wistful nomads, swindlers, magicians and a veritable cornucopia of shady characters! The Grade 9 and 10 Green Enterprise classes are running a special fun day to enable their Enterprise course to be self funding, and also supporting the Dr Ating Foundation. But, it takes a village to make these productions possible! Please check out this page to see how you can help us and make this event truly spectacular! Go to: http://student.greenschool.org/gypsy_funday.php
The carnival runs until 6:30 PM and will be followed by a special musical theater program from the Grade 11 students. Please see details in the below flyer:

Green Studies Update from Pak Noan

Of all the courses Green School has, Green Studies is the only one which shares 50% of its title with the school’s name. Yet, it is also the least well understood. Unlike Math, English, and Science, parents would not have any background in this, and so it can remain enigmatic. Each week following, I will happily provide some insight into what is going on with the Green Studies team.

This week has been a big one in terms of the Green School farm. After some of the chickens fell ill a couple months ago, the farm enclosures were assessed and better designs were put forth. The rabbit enclosure was doubled in size, and the rabbits were provided with an outdoor run. This also makes it easier for the kids to observe the rabbits. Grade 3 has been in charge of maintaining the rabbits, and with the new enclosure their job becomes all the more enjoyable. We also got new chickens for the Grade 5 students! This time, we have egg laying chickens to ensure they are productive. Sure enough, the first day here yielded 5 eggs, which the students were able to take home and enjoy for breakfast.

The middle school students have also been on a roll in Green Studies. The grade 6s have been continuing work on the pond area, and will be selecting new aquatic plants to help maintain oxygenated waters in the pond. The grade 7s are exploring a new element of their diet: oils and sweeteners. For this, they will be working on making some cold processed coconut oil. The instructions have been given, now it is just a matter of creating our own oil. And the grade 8s, the oldest Middle School Green Studies students, are developing a short environmental awareness campaign which they can share with their Indonesian peers once completed. They chose the topics they wished to discuss, the manner in which they would present it, and considered the possible effect they might have.

More news to come in the near future!

Food consumption habits survey

The grade 7 class needs you to answer a survey! We are researching common consumption habits of oils and sweeteners. We have started some background research on which oils and sweeteners are beneficial in which ways, and are interested to see if our community’s consumption habits and knowledge match what we have learned. The students wrote all these questions, and there is no wrong or right answer. so please take a few minutes to fill in the survey below!

https://docs.google.com/a/greenschool.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGdHZ2pUOWJPZXZablptR184alBjckE6MQ#gid=0

Grade 8 English Class Mock Trial Report from Ibu Mary

Our first annual Mock Trial was prepared and performed by Grade 8 students March 19. Our case was State V. Lane, a criminal case where the defendant, a rap artist, was charged with two felonies:inciting a riot and arson. Mock trial is a program created by the Oregon Bar Association and Classroom Law Project from Portland, Oregon in the US. It is a hands-on experience where the students take a hypothetical case and practice courtroom procedures, act out witness statements and compete in a courtroom setting with a judge and jury.

Throughout the second term the Grade 8 students developed knowledge of the United States judicial system, critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, and teamwork. Each student was handed the case file, which consisted of: six witness statements, Mock Trial rules and US laws connected to the case. Then each had to outline the case, come up with a theme for each side (prosecution and defense), write out direct and cross questions for each witness, write opening and closing statements and practice! It took hours of work and critical thinking skills.

This year we had the honor of working with Jared Fishman, a prosecuting attorney for the US Justice Department. Luckily for us, he was on leave this term and became our co-teacher in the class, volunteering his time every week for 2-3 days each. “The Professor”, as we called him was critical to learning about the judicial system. Thank you Professor!

Ibu Mary

Ibu Margot Introduces New Artist in Residence, Alexandra Robb

I am delighted to introduce and welcome Ibu Alexandra Robb, our second artist in residence for 2012. Alexandra is an accomplished artist and environmental educator from London.

During her residency at The Green School she will be working on a range of visual arts projects, with a focus on printmaking. Following a career in museum design and studying botanical illustration, Alexandra’s love of the natural world led her to work for the London Wildlife Trust and exhibit her work at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society, where she was awarded two medals for her work. After illustrating a book for a local wildlife reserve The Crane Park Island Nature Reserve, based on an island on the River Crane in London, Alexandra subsequently established programs and events for school and community groups at the Reserve linking art and environmental education. She has now been the Manager of this Visitor Centre for 20 years, where she has worked as a program designer and artist. In addition, she has also maintained her own artistic practice which focuses on studies of wildlife and the natural world in a broad range of media, including water colour, oil painting and printmaking. Projects at the Green School will be based on a study of the Ayung River where Grades 6,7,8,9,10 will create artworks using a range of printmaking techniques and present a series of works to be exhibited in the form of an artist’s book.

Alexandra has a great love of Indonesia and has visited the country many times. Her first visit was as a volunteer on an expedition to study the Komodo dragon. Alexandra is also currently involved as an advisor on developing educational resources linked to the development of a wetland site in Hangzhou, China.

Please come and visit the art studio to see Alexandra working on both her own work and with our students. Her residency for the next 5 weeks is voluntary. I am very grateful for her generosity and commitment in dedicating her time and expertise to further advancing in our students’ experiences an appreciation and love of nature and the natural beauty which surrounds us in our daily lives at The Green School.

Ibu Margot

BSSA Update from Pak Colin: Sports Dates for the rest of the term

17 April - Green School swim club continues(practice every Tuesday and Wednesday)

18 April - BSSA Cross Country at Green School

2 May - Start of BSSA Athletics practice(every Wednesday)

9 May- Multi-sports day (opportunities for badminton and surfing)

25-27 May - Green School surf trip to Medewi (intermediate to advanced surfers)
Parents: please contact me to confirm your child’s participation so I can cost the trip(based on numbers)-Interest expressed so far:
Oscar Gr8, Connor Gr8, Cole Gr8, JJ Gr 8, Finn Gr6, Sonny Gr 6

4 June – BSSA Athletics meet in Denpasar

Invitation to Join Basecamp and Help Us Build Green Community

If you are new to Green School this term, chances are you may have heard of Basecamp, but you probably aren’t on it. Basecamp is a very user-friendly online project management system that allows you to keep up to date with the many Green Community projects taking place on and around campus. If you would like to join, please email me (ben@greenschool.org) and I’ll sign you up. Same goes for any parent who is not on, whenever you came to Green School. More on this to come at the next Green Community parent meeting on April 27.

New After School Program on Wednesdays: Face Painting for Ages 6-16

DAY – WEDNESDAY for 6 weeks starting 18th of April – 23rd May

TIME: 3:30-4:30
PLACE: Kindergarten
AGES: 6-16years

Learn the Art of Face painting with Ibu Mel and Ibu Yulia. Come by yourself or bring a friend & work together to create, design and do amazing face painting. Each week there will be a different theme and you will learn useful tips in the art of face painting another person.

Compass Club Ayung Rafting Trip, 22 April Last Chance to Sign Up!

4th Annual YRS Women’s Health Fund-raiser April 19 Jalan Pengembak 19 Sanur

Here is some information on a great benefit taking place next week to support women’s health. The event is being organized by GS parent Amy Cardamone along with help from the Grade 3 class.

YRS Women’s Health Center is dedicated to improving reproductive health among women in Bali’s traditional markets. Our theme this year is women supporting women because every hour a woman in Indonesia dies of cervical cancer which is completely preventable with regular pap screenings but only 70% of Balinese women have ever had a pap. So, with your help, we really can make a difference! Please come and support the event and buy tickets from the 3rd graders who will be selling them around campus this week and next.

9-5 Bazaar, Bake Sale and Pap Screening
As always, you can sign up for a pap screening or send your staff for one. Plus, this year we have an impressive line-up of vendors for the bazaar, including chic clothes and bags, beautiful jewelry, unique ceramics, traditional herbal jamu, organic veggies, and a plethora of items from the market. We have also added 15 minute foot or head/shoulder messages. The bazaar is a fun opportunity to hang-out with old and new friends. Join us!

5-8 Evening Cocktails, Live Music and Silent Auction
The evening event is on the same day from 5-8 includes live music, two free drinks and canapes. Silent auction items include whitewater rafting and sea walker vouchers, private yoga session with Janet Nicol, lunch for 2 at Como Shambhala, furniture from Cempaka, an elegant piece from Kevala Ceramics, 1 month yoga pass to Power of Now. We will also be showing segments of of acclaimed Indonesia film Perempuan punya Cerita (Women’s stories). Tickets are Rp 100,000 in advance and Rp 150,000 at the door. Come join us for an evening out to benefit an important cause!

For more information visit www.yrsbali.org, yrsbali@gmail.com, facebook Yayasan Rama Sesana or call Amy 081-338-0888-37.

IDEP Permaculture Course, starting April 25

Our friends at the IDEP Foundation in Ubud have passed us along info on an English-language Permaculture course beginning at the end of this month in nearby Batuan, just fifteen minutes from Green School. (Those of you with younger children might know Batuan as the home of Bali Fun Wordl) Have a look at this link to learn more: http://www.greenschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Flyer_idep_A52.pdf

IDEP Foundation is a medium-scale organization based in Bali, Indonesia. IDEP’s name is a Balinese word which translates to the aspect of the human consciousness that is our ability to think and plan critically. IDEP Foundation works with communities and other stakeholders in developing more sustainable use of natural resources. We focus on 4 main areas; Sustainable Development – Permaculture, Disaster Management, Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Education Program for Children, and produce informative Media campaigns.

IDEP’s Mission is:

• Community empowerment – ‘Help people help themselves’ through providing information, demonstrations and training
• Community resilience – Assist communities that are vulnerable to disaster to develop resilience in a sustainable way
• Disaster relief – Support communities struck by disasters to attain safety and empower them through the recovery process

More details about IDEP can be found on the organization’s website: www.idepfoundation.org

Links that Make Us Think

GS co-founder John Hardy shared this TED talk on the role expressing vulnerability plays in building human connection:

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html
And Green School parent Samantha von Bismarck sent along this beautifully-shot but harrowing trailer for a film that looks at the role of plastic consumption plays in the death of sea birds thousands of miles from the nearest major human population centers: http://www.midwayfilm.com

Green School Family Business Plug of the Week!

Speaking of the von Bismarcks, Samantha’s husband Gregor is an inventor and entrepreneur who has come up with a really interesting product, the Floh: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1253232514/go-with-the-floh?ref=email.

In Sam’s words, “ It’s a really cool contraption that Gregor invented and has been sticking his heart and mind into for the past 7 years and feels very passionate about.

The Floh is a combination Backpack – Kickscooter – Carry-on bag. Amazing for airports (I’ve had no problems with security), fantastic if you can’t find a parking spot near your office, hugely practical for students at University and Schools. Really fun to drive for all ages: There are 4 height adjustments.

The product is great for you and great for your friends & family as a gift and Kickstarter is the only place you can pre-order the actual product and support us.

Please pass this email on to all your friends and family too, ask them to do the same and have them help make Floh go viral. “

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool

You’ll find a lyrical introduction from Pak Alan, plus revised info on his upcoming talks to GS parents and teachers. (Based on last Thursday’s introductory session, I highly encourage attending if you can– the man has fire and passion and will inspire you to change the way you think about education. Or at the very least, he’ll challenge some of your assumptions…)  Two new members join Green School’s Board of Directors. Ibu Mona returns to the newsletter with an article and a video about a beautiful Grade 2A project that connects our students with and celebrates some of the unsung heroes of Green School.

In this issue:

1. Learning Manager’s Musings – First Letter from Alan Wagstaff
2. Alan’s CASE Course Seminar (Children and Spirituality Education)
3. New Green School Board Members
4. Parent Education and Inspiration now beginning April 17
5. Educating for sustainability
6. Calling all actors and singers, acrobats, dancers, magicians
7. Green Farms Update from Ben Brown
8. Vegetable Packet Update
9. Green P-Patch
10. Rice Farmer Field School at GS
11. Earth Day Request for Recycled Materials from Pak Matt
12. High School Student Council Update from Theresa Hamilton
13. Reminder: Living in Bali Lyrics Competition
14. Links that Make Us Think:
15. Compass School Workshop at Green Camp this past weekend
16. Our own weekly news

Learning Manager’s Musings – First Letter from Alan Wagstaff

I’m looking at a picture of my one-month old grandson – Aneirin; he took his first a few breath just a few weeks ago. I can empathise! This feels like the first breath of a whole new life – for me. Here goes…

I’m not keen on high altitude aims-type statements. I haven’t read an education aims statement yet that I don’t wholeheartedly agree with; strangely though, I’ve bumped into countless schools that leave me stone-cold and uninspired. Here’s my pitch:

The Scaffold
All talk is cheap – but aims are cheap as chips.
They bling school gateways and school doors – or worse
shake loose, like glitter, from our flapping lips:
‘A Greener Globe!’ ‘Explore the Universe!’
‘Find Freedom, Light and Life!’ and blah, blah, blah…

Such gilded slogans fade in sunlight, bleached
by U.V. rays and time, until they are
unreadable, devoid of meaning: leached.

I’ve spent a lifetime sifting sand for grains
of truth. One thought, from storms of words and noise,
looms large; one fragile thought alone remains
that forms a coded signpost to the counterpoise:

‘A sonnet has a scaffold that can nurse
first thoughts – transmuting jingles into verse.’

I’m a ‘walk-the-talk’ educator. It comes down to this: ‘What structures and systems can make our education hopes and ideals real under the pressure of school-life – every day? Finding solutions to this challenge is where all my efforts for Green School are directed.

To really walk this education talk, it seems to me, every part of the operation needs to reflect the core business of the school. Our core business is learning – but not just any learning; we are looking for students to self-manage their learning journey; students thirsty for education. For me this implies student-centred, rather than subject-centred, schooling.

In such a milieu, how must the Learning Manager* operate? By offering learning to self-directed adult learners – of course! So watch this space! I’m learning heaps and I’m privileged to share this with you all.

Alan Wagstaff
Learning Manager:
a leader who learns a lot about pedagogy and, consequently, helps to focus the school on its core-business: learning.
Alan

Thanks to all of you who came to Alan’s opening talk last week. It was very well attended and highly inspiring! As a reminder, Alan will be speaking on various topics over the next three weeks. The titles have changed a bit. Please do join us if you can…

Learning Sessions with Alan Wagstaff:

Alan’s CASE Course Seminar (Children and Spirituality Education), 16 & 18 April, 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM at Anne Hockett’s House

Pak Alan is a man with a lot to say! In between the programs above he’ll be delivering an off-site seminar on spirituality in education at the home of GS parent Anne Hockett. Please see details at this link: http://www.greenschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/CASE-course-poster.pdf

Directions to Anne’s House:

From Jalan Ubud Raya turn onto the road with the blue sign to Botanic gardens.
Come about 10 minutes up this road
Pass the Ubud Fitness Center turn off
Pass Botanic Gardens on right
Warang Becil on right (best french fries ever)
Santosa art gallery on left
Road opens up into rice paddies
Pass white house
Second small white house on right has a half brown wall around it
My drive is exactly opposite that houses’ driveway
Small whitish gravely path
If you’re in a car, please park on road
Bikes come all the way in and I’m the last house
On day one, I’ll leave my black car up at the driveway with the flashers on to make it easier 0812 3960 4555

If you’d like to attend, please email Pak Andy to RSVP: andys@greenschool.org

The seminar is being offered gratis, but there is a suggested donation of IDR 100,000 per day for lunch that will be lovingly prepared by two scholarship families

New Green School Board Members

The Green School has been committed to developing a transparent, independent governance structure. That process continues, and we are pleased to announce the selection of two new board members,Nadya Hutagalung and Mickey Ackerman. Many of you already know Mickey, whose daughter Izzy was at Green School last semester and he has been a highly active adviser to the board over the past year helping us to shape the direction of the school. Nadya and her husband will soon be moving here from Singapore and enrolling two children as of August. Nadya has been very involved in supporting the Green School with her passion for saving the environment and bringing change to the world.

This now brings to seven the number of voting board members, with another three advisors.

Please find more detailed information on Nadya and Mickey below. We are pleased that both are joining us and look forward to their efforts to continue to grow the vision of Green School!

You may also always see the Board meeting notes, Board of Governance and the full list of Board members and advisers online at http://www.greenschool.org/prospective-parents/governance-at-green-school/.

Mickey Ackerman, Board Member
Internationally recognized design leader and educator, Professor Mickey Ackerman has spent decades teaching designers how to define problems clearly and then solve those problems through multidisciplinary teamwork.

As Director of Rhode Island School of Design’s Industrial Design department, Ackerman created real-world design solutions for industry leaders such as Intel, Rubbermaid, Frigidaire and General Mills. He also established strategic partnerships with the Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, NASA and the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology, among many others.

Nadya Hutagalung, Board Member
Eco-activist and media personality Nadya Hutagalung parlayed her success in television, film, and fashion to become one of Asia’s leading voices in the Green Movement. Her project GreenKampong.com started to track the progress and challenges of building Singapore’s first green home for her family, but soon evolved into a widely followed forum for similar-minded people and the issues that matter to them. Nadya has also been Singapore’s Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour for the last four years.

In 2009, she was voted one of Singapore’s Top 20 most influential people by CNN. That same year, she was awarded the title of best TV Host by ELLE Magazine Singapore, testimony to her staying power in a tough industry. Over the years, her talent and accomplishments have also been recognized elsewhere in the world. She was named one of Asia’s Leading Trendmakers by Asia Week magazine, alongside the Dalai Lama, Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fatt, for her special ability to inspire and fascinate, as well as one of the Top Ten “Shining Stars” on Indonesian Television by Indonesian magazine Bintang.

Parent Education and Inspiration now beginning April 17

Every Tuesday at 9am from April 17-May 15
Exception: Wednesday, April 25

Another reminder about this series of upcoming talks for the parent community. Please note that the series will now begin on 17 April– the one scheduled for the 10th has been moved to the end of May due to the speaker’s travel schedule.

Tuesday, April 17 (Confirmed)
Why Raw?
An introduction to raw foods and the benefits of a raw diet
Presenter: Avara, Owner of The Living Food Lab @ Green School

Wedneday, April 25 (Confirmed)—PLEASE NOTE THIS IS WEDNESDAY
Local Plants
An introduction to plant identification and the health and healing properties of plants
Presenter: Sumaday

Tuesday, May 1 (Confirmed)
Sustainable building
A look at sustainable building practices and the materials used
Presenter: Chris from Little Tree

Tuesday, May 8 (Confirmed)
Third Culture Kids
What are TCKs and how does growing up in a third culture impact a child’s experience
Potential Presenter: Nikki Macfarlane

Tuesday, May 15 (Confirmed)
Balinese Perspective on Conservation; Bali’s New Generation
A look at current conservation efforts in Bali and how the new generation of Balinese are
working to preserve Bali’s natural beauty
Presenter(s): Gove DuPuy and friends

Tuesday, May 22 (Confirmed)
Waste management
Waste management issues on Bali and the efforts to change what is happening
Presenter: Olivier from Bali Recycling

Educating for sustainability

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve heard from Ibu Mona, but she’s back with a bang with this piece on EFS. Please have a look at the beautiful video as well…

Educating for sustainability provides a practical and inspired framework for young people to understand contemporary issues not as insurmountable problems, but as opportunities to create a better world. Educating for sustainability is the integration of equity, environment, and economy. The framework needs to provide knowledge, skills and dispositions that students need to ensure the well-being of self and others and to make a positive contribution first locally and then globally.

Just as unique natural species play an essential role in the healthy biodiversity of nature, the unique identities of humans contribute to the diversity between and within cultures. The extent to which people recognize and cherish diverse identities is an important factor in the health of human communities.  Please read below a brief overview of a unit which was designed keeping the principles of EFS in mind and crafted with an overarching goals of immersion, engagement and production.

Presented in the video is an excerpt from an integrated 6 weeks unit for 2A, “We’re in this together“. This six weeks social studies unit opened with a review of the basics about what a community is and then delved into the concept of interdependence within a community. The objectives of this unit were to help students develop an understanding of people’s interactions within a community, their community responsibilities, and the ways in which they can help others in a constructive way.  Through this unit, we had an opportunity to understand and learn about how the different departments at the school like the gardening, maintenance, warung, security, housekeeping and carpentry have been working efficiently for the last 4 years and what their jobs are. We did learn that even though these people work discreetly, they are impacting our lives each day.

http://www.greenschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/7th-post-for-the-newsletter-Educating-for-sustainability.pdf

Calling all actors and singers, acrobats, dancers, magicians, musicians, snake charmers, storytellers, magic makers, thrill-seekers….let’s put on a show!!

Stage-lovers from Grade 1 to Grade 8 are invited to participate in this child-based, eclectic performance project.  Rehearsals will take place:

Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 in the Mepantigan for the entire cast. (beginning April 17)
Thursdays 3:30-4:30 in various spaces on campus for individual acts to work with  mentors. (Beginning April 19th)

Here is how our show is created:

Students who wish to perform an individual act or small group number will be asked to do a casual “audition” on Thursday, April 19th.  Their act is expected to be “in the raw” and Ibu Anna, Ibu Sarita, and Ibu Tnee will assess whether or how to combine their talents with other performers.  For example,  a singer may end up singing his or her song with dancers or back up vocalists on stage.  These magical collaborations are what make the show so unique.  These acts will be rehearsed and refined on Thursdays after school from 3:30 to 4:30 and during some lunch hours.  Individual acts and small group numbers must meet with a mentor 3 times before the show and will have the opportunity to sign up for lunch time or Thursday after-school meetings.  They are also expected to work on their own time at refining their numbers.  This means that if you are in one of these acts, you will come to Tuesday Chorus rehearsals and at attend at least 3 meetings with your mentor. (So, though Thursdays are available for these meetings, not every group will meet every Thursday).

The CHORUS includes all performers who are doing an individual or group act as well as any student who wishes to perform in the group numbers.  This is a fantastic opportunity for students to perform with the support of their peers and the group will be doing some really fun song and dance numbers with lots of surprises.  This group will meet Tuesdays after school from 3:30 to 4:30 in the Mepantigan. The first Chorus rehearsal for full cast is April 17th :)

Parent Participation:
It takes a village to put on a show like this!  Would you like to be in the live band, mentor small group acts, help build props, costume, or help with lighting and sound?  Please email Ibu Sarita if you would like to get involved in this fun project: saritasong@gmail.com

Showdate Friday, June 1st (evening…exact time tba)
Mandatory Dress/Tech Rehearsal:  Friday, June 1st during the school day.

Costumes:  To be decided upon with the cast but will definitely include a lot of bling.

Next Monday, April 9th, at lunch I will hold an informational meeting for all interested students. Please remind your children to come to the Mepantigan after they eat.  I am so looking forward to this performance adventure!

Let’s put on a show!

Sarita
(sarita@greenschool.org)

Green Farms Update from Ben Brown

Green School parent and eco-warrior Ben Brown is a busy man! When he’s not restoring the mangrove zones of Sulawesi, we are very lucky that he helps to supervise our Green Farms and gardens here on campus. Below please find updates on three different topics: our vegetable packet subscription service, now with different options available; the chance to farm your very own piece of land at Green School; and a Rice Farmer Field School being held on campus for local farmers:

Vegetable Packet Update

The vegetable packet program needs to be re-tooled. We are currently providing 20 GS families with 1.5 kg of mixed vegetable – for twice a week pick-ups for a cost of 150,000rp a month, a price which has not changed since the inception of this service. There are times when a lot of vegetables are left on the table in HOS, without being picked up, an indication that the service is undervalued. We also know we aren’t able to fine-tune orders to consumers needs, especially leafy greens which are in high demand, but difficult for us to produce during the heavy rains (which Bali has been experiencing for extended seasons four years in a row now). In order to address these issues, there will be two changes. The cost of the service will increase to 180,000 rp. per month for those wishing to continue a mixed packet twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays). You may also subscribe to a single mixed packet a week for 100,000rp a month (choose Tuesdays or Fridays).

As another option – you will be able to order fresh harvested vegetables ahead of time on-line or by responding to a sms text message, which will go out on Tuesday – announcing vegetables available for the week. First come first serve. In terms of price – we have settled on prices which are approximately half of the price of high end organic produce on the island – as our produce is still run of the mill.

We do promise – however, that all of our vegetables are organically raised, many from organic seeds, fed with liquid and solid organic fertilizer as well as Effective Micro-organism bacteria produced on campus by our skilled farm team.

If you are interested in continuing your organic vegetable packets, or adding your email and cell phone number to a list for weekly updates of vegetables available, please send an email to Ben Brown.

seagrassroots@gmail.com
Thanks for your patience and consideration!

Green P-Patch

There is an area measuring around 3000m2 of old farm-land on the Northern edge of the campus which will be developed as a Public Garden Patch. We call ‘em P-Patches in Seattle, and they are known as allotments in the UK. I am sure there are other names in other parts of the world. The concept at Green school, is that families, staff and faculty of the Green School can share gardening skills and knowledge side by side. Some members of the farm team at Green School will also join, and I see the opportunity as a means of cross-cultural exchange, with hands-on farming as the medium.

To begin with – there are very few rules as a committee will have to be formed to manage this new system.

The basic rules are;

- You must farm without chemical fertilizers or pesticides
- Your plot must be actively managed – by yourself or by arrangement
- You own what you grow (to eat, give, trade or sell)

The committee will determine things like the size of plots, communal use of tools, necessary infrastructure (well, tool shed, potting shed, etc), timing of fun harvest events, communal pest control, etc. There will obviously be an issue as to use of plots over summer vacation – but perhaps an arrangement can be made with the Green School farmers to look after plots.

It must be said, this P-Patch is also a way that some of the Green School farmers can work a piece of their own land, owning what they grow, to augment their income. If they sign up – they will have to balance their time between their Green School farm duties and the P-Patch.

Space – in the initial phase will be limited. If things go well – we can look for additional land on campus to farm – or perhaps rent a nearby plot.

Cost – the committee will decide if fees are necessary. Sometimes a small fee is a good thing – which can be used to purchase seeds, tools, etc, and it also ensures that people who sign up will be committed. The committee will also help ensure that P-Patch farmers who are less well off are not restricted by lack of finance.

How to begin – Need some names. Are you interested in farming? In being part of the Green P-Patch committee? We need a volunteer coordinator too!

For the time being – send emails of interest to Ben Brown: seagrassroots@gmail.com

Rice Farmer Field School at GS

Did you know that if an alien landed on Earth, the first person it would meet, would probably be a rice farmer?

That’s because rice farming is the most common profession on our planet.

Over four million rice farmers in Asia and South-east Asia participated in rice IPM Farmer Field Schools (FFS) between early 1990, when the first FFS was conducted in Indonesia, and the end of 2010. During those 20 years, farmers, agriculture extension field workers, plant protection field workers, and NGO field workers learned how to facilitate the FFS approach and conducted over 150,000 FFS’s. Farmers who have participated in Field Schools have reduced their use of pesticides, improved their use of inputs such as water and fertilizer, realized enhanced yields, and obtained increased incomes. From this beginning they move into other crops and wider ranging activities, related to their agroecosystems. FFS alumni are in the forefront of establishing sustainable agricultural systems in their villages and promoting food security for themselves, their children, and generations to come.

Our own rice fields at the Green School, as well as neighboring rice fields in Sibang Kaja,  have been attacked by every pest in the book over the past two years.  The surrounding community has responded by increasing pesticide applications to once every two days, using up to four different  pesticides in a toxic cocktail.  This has only resulted in increased pest tolerance to  pesticides, and a resurgence the following year, as populations of natural enemies (spiders, etc) have also decreased.

Although students and farmers at the Green School have not gone the route of pesticide-use, our attempts at organic rice farming have not succeeded.  Rice farmer field school, which will run at the Green School for 12-16 weeks led by an agricultural extension agent from Sibang Kaja, is intended to enhance farmers abilities to…

• Grow a healthy crop;
• Conserve natural enemies;
• Conduct regular field observations;
• Become rice and Integrated Pest Management experts.

Once our farmers catch on – they will lead Green School students in understanding how to grow the world’s most common crop.

Earth Day Request for Recycled Materials from Pak Matt

Greetings, Green School community!

As I’m sure we are all aware, Earth Day is just around the corner.  I hope that you will all be here to help us honor and celebrate Mother Earth and all of her beauty & abundance!  As we build up to the day there will be various opportunities for all to get involved and to lend a hand to make this the best Earth Day ever…..Starting now!  We would appreciate the help and support of all  of our Green School families by helping us to collect recyclable materials (such as plastic containers of all shapes and sizes, plastic bottles, cans, juice cartons, egg cartons, tinfoil, cereal boxes, cardboard boxes, plastic bags, and even old, unwanted clothes or fabric).  (Please be sure to only bring items that have been properly cleaned or washed!)  Teachers will be designating areas in their classrooms to collect all of these materials so feel free to send them along to school with your children or bring them in all-at-once if preferred.  Without giving too much away…. these items will be used primarily on Earth Day in various art projects.

Thanks in advance for your support.  Looking forward to seeing you here on the big day!

Pak Matt

High School Student Council Update from Theresa Hamilton

At the High School’s first Student Council meeting of the term, possible new activities were discussed. The first possible new activity discussed was a proper dress up day in May. We would have a few weeks to get ready and the winner would be given a prize! This is going to be organized by Mythra in Grade 10. The second exciting activity is a lunchtime DJ! A student will be chosen / will volunteer and their music will be played at lunch. Technicalities are still being sorted out but it is already confirmed that the music will be checked by teachers to make sure that it is school-appropriate. This will be organized by Jessye in Grade 9 Other things discussed in this meeting were middle- and junior-school students coming to the Green Warung before the gong goes. Remember to stay in H.O.S. until the gong sounds! Finally, Middle-school students, you have been asked not to try and get food from the off-campus Warung at lunch.

Reminder: Living in Bali Lyrics Competition, Deadline this Friday, 13 April!

Green School Community here is your chance to really stamp your mark in a creative way! We are calling upon all Green School students, parents, teachers and staff to express to us what this school is all about. Your task is to write an additional verse for our school song, “Living in Bali”. Think about what makes this school so unique, what is our school’s aim and philosophy, what it means to be Green and who we really are. You can enter as a class, small group or individual. The winners will have the chance to sing their
lyrics accompanied by the staff band for a special Earth Day Assembly. The winners will have the glory and honour of having their very own original lyrics added to the school song permanently.

1. Your lyrics must include the words

1. • Green School
   • Bamboo
   • Community

2. Your verse has the same amount of lines as the original and the same melody (see attachment).
3. Your verse is submitted by Friday the 13th of April.

If you are a parent, teacher, staff or student council member that would like to be a part of the judging panel, please let Ibu Anna know. Please e-mail all entries to anna.overeem@greenschool.org

Links that Make Us Think:

Two links this week that both touch on the subject of the “Nature Deficit Disorder”, which attributes a host of problems– social, educational, health– to the growing lack of connection to nature seen in the developed world, amongst both children and adults. This should not be a problem for Green School students! Thanks to former GS Director Ron Stones and current Managing Director Chris Thompson, respectively, for sharing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17495032
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/29/nature-deficit-disorder/

Compass School Workshop  at Green Camp this past weekend

In addition to our programs involving schools, families and individual campers, Green Camp is proud to have hosted our 1st Compass School Workshop over the weekend of Apr. 6-9. Aimed at teachers and educators, this 4 day residential program focused on utilizing a set of ‘Compass tools’ for broadening students’ perspectives on sustainability and providing a framework for supporting whole school sustainability initiatives. There were 13 participants along with 4 facilitators from SE Asia and America including 2 GS staff and GC provided some activities to support the program goals. We’re looking forward to the skills and insights that will be shared over the course and hope to offer similar environmental education themed programs in the near future. Stay tuned!

http://www.greenschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Compass-Workshop-Flyer.pdf

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool

You might have asked yourself as you opened this email, “How can this be? Not only is it a Friday, but Green School is on break this week!”

And yet, the newsletter beat goes on… although this is a fairly stripped down version including some recycled items from last week. This also marks the start of our new Friday publication date. (Please take note of Thursday afternoon deadline for submission of notices.)

Of special note, please see the list of new after-school programs for the last term, plus the request that parents sign their kids up beforehand. We really want to encourage consistent attendance this term. And please note that we are holding an admissions Open House on Saturday, 14 April. Please spread the news…

And as Chris Thompson says in his welcome back letter, we have two really exciting things happening here in the arrival of Alan Wagstaff and the switching on of our solar panels to provide electricity in the Heart of School starting a few days ago. That’s right: the computer I’m typing on, the fan that’s cooling me, my charging phone… all powered by the sun!

I hope everyone enjoyed their vacation and is excited for the start of our final term.

In this issue:

1. Welcome Back Message from Chris Thompson
2. Upcoming Events
3. April 14 Admissions Open House, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Please Spread the Word!
4. New After-school Programs Starting the Week of 9 April
5. April 3rd And 5th Start Session 3 Of Wood Carving!  Right After Break!
6. Letter from Visiting Filmmakers
7. Health Insurers with a Heart!
8. Goodbye Arni, Hello Yani
9. Our own weekly news

Welcome Back Message from Chris Thompson

As we enter the final quarter of the year, this week marks two exciting beginnings for Green School.

Alan Wagstaff returns to the School and starts on Monday April 2nd. We have been sharing this news over the past couple of months but we are really thrilled about his arrival. We look forward to seeing all of you on Thursday April 5th at 2 PM in the Mepantigan as Alan will be addressing the community. And the schedule for the Alan’s workshops with parent and teacher starts the following week (see below for details).

Second, the school reached an incredible milestone this week: The Heart of School is now running on solar energy!

We will continue to roll this out to the rest of the school. We are already making improvements to the water management systems (gravity pump now working and filling the pond for watering) and doing a number of other key changes. Once we complete the solar program we will work on completing the vortex which will get the school fully off of the grid.

This is a remarkable achievement. It started with John’s vision. It was made possible by the incredible donation from Eric Scotto with Akuo who donated the energy panels and their expertise. And it has had the incredible help of all the volunteer parents and people who make the Green Energy Team. This was a true community project.

We already have a successful biogas project. Now with solar it provides another powerful learning opportunity for our children and community as we do our part in saving the planet.

There is a reason why we are called the Green School.

I hope everyone returns well rested from the break. We look forward to ending the school year on a high note!

Upcoming Events

There is lots happening at Green School in April! As always, please keep an eye on the events calendar for the latest info. http://www.greenschool.org/calendar/ But below you’ll find some details on a few special programs taking place, including a series of talks from Alan Wagstaff (as well as a chance to help welcome him to Bali and GS on 5 April) and a series of Tuesday morning (mostly) talks by Green School parents and friends on topics that should be very interesting. Please join us!

Learning Sessions with Alan Wagstaff:

Parent Education and Inspiration
Every Tuesday at 9am from April 10-May 15
Exception: Wednesday, April 25

Tuesday, April 10 (Waiting for confirmation)
Waste management
Waste management issues on Bali and the efforts to change what is happening Presenter: Olivier from Bali Recycling

Tuesday, April 17 (Confirmed)
Why Raw?
An introduction to raw foods and the benefits of a raw diet Presenter: Avara, Owner of The Living Food Lab @ Green School

Wedneday, April 25 (Confirmed)—PLEASE NOTE THIS IS WEDNESDAY
Local Plants
An introduction to plant identification and the health and healing properties of plants Presenter: Sumaday

Tuesday, May 1 (Confirmed)
Sustainable building
A look at sustainable building practices and the materials used Presenter: Chris from Little Tree

Tuesday, May 8 (Confirmed)
Third Culture Kids
What are TCKs and how does growing up in a third culture impact a child’s experience Potential Presenter: Nikki Macfarlane

Tuesday, May 15 (Confirmed)
Balinese Perspective on Conservation; Bali’s New Generation
A look at current conservation efforts in Bali and how the new generation of Balinese are working to preserve Bali’s natural beauty Presenter(s): Gove DuPuy and friends

April 14 Admissions Open House, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Please Spread the Word!

We’ll be holding an admissions Open House at Green School on the morning of Saturday, 14 April to give prospective families in Bali a chance to learn about some of the exciting developments taking place here. On hand will be Green School teachers and staff (including Pak Alan, of course) and we’re hoping for some students and parents as well. You should be hearing more about that from your Class Ambassadors. We’ll be promoting this island-wide in a variety of ways, but there’s nothing like hearing about an event like this from current families! We’d be very grateful if you could share the news with anyone in your social/professional network who might be interested in attending. Thanks so much!

New After-school Programs Starting the Week of 9 April

We have a new set of after-school activities starting the second week of the term. Please see the following chart. The one exception is Balinese Wood Carving, which will start on Tuesday, 3 April. (More details on that are below.)

This term, to encourage more regular participation in the activities and also to give us a better sense of which students are actually on campus after school ends, we’d like to request that you sign up beforehand for any programs your child(ren) would like to join. The teacher responsible for each activity will have a sign-in sheet. This also means we can notify parents beforehand of any changes in schedule.

Please email me (ben@greenschool.org) with your selections so I can let the relevant teachers know. Terima kasih and thanks for your cooperation!

APRIL 3RD AND 5TH START SESSION 3 OF WOOD CARVING!  RIGHT AFTER BREAK!

Would you like to learn one of the cultural arts from this area?

Would you like to learn from one of the masters of Mas (area known for its renowned carvers)

Would you like to take classes right here in the Heart of School?

You can sign your child up with or without you, we would like to encourage parents to join these classes, so feel free to jump in!

PICK A TUESDAY SESSION OR THURSDAY SESSION

To SIGN UP, Email Andi Morrel, gypseamermaid@gmail.com
or sign up on the Afterschool Bulletin board in the Heart of School

Class costs:
Tool kit: 9 chisels, 1 wooden mallot Rp170,000
Class per hour: Rp 40,000

Session = 4 classes x 40k =Rp160,000

Session 3 time: 3:30 – 4:30

Tues       Thurs
3 Apr      5 Apr
10 Apr    12 Apr
17 Apr    19 Apr
24 Apr    26 Apr

Letter from Visiting Filmmakers

We recently received this message from Natalia and Paul, whom some of you met while they were here making a documentary film about progressive education, and thought we’d share it:

Hello Green School,

We’d like to thank everyone once again for being available, patient and so inspiring regarding the filming of the 21st Century Education Documentary. We know how busy you all were and thus appreciate all your time and energy in helping us tell a great story about the Green School. We’d like to thank all the students and teachers who allowed us to film some of their experiences. We’ve learned so much from you.

Being at the Green School has impacted Paul and I deeply. Paul after his terrible experiences at his early age in school thanks to Green School regained his love for learning.

For me Green School was like a breath of fresh air for various reasons. First of all I was incredibly inspired by the very architecture, the implementation of eco practices, the transparency of nature in the classrooms, the teaching methods and organic lunch food. Most importantly, I’ve learned my own lesson, don’t be afraid of failing because if you’re afraid to fail then you’re afraid to experiment, and if you’re afraid to experiment then you’re afraid to innovate, create and refine your ideas which eventually will work. In my school years in Canada I was tought that assignments are to be executed on time with a specific result and if they’re not, you get a failing grade. Thanks once again for being so inspiring!

We will keep you updated as to our progress with the documentary and hope we in turn can inspire you with what we will put together!

You can keep in touch and follow our progress on our Facebook page entitled: Rethinking Education.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rethinking-Education/104407643006906

Warmest Regards,
Natalia & Paul

Health Insurers with a Heart!

Green School uses a Jakarta-based company called B.H Financial Services for its expat employee health insurance plan, as do some GS families. We’ve been well pleased with their services, and after learning more about what Green School does, they have obviously been quite inspired. We have just learned that they are making a US$5,000 donation to the scholarship program. We are grateful for their generosity!  And of course, if any families are looking for an insurance provider, we’re happy to recommend them. Contact details are below. Representatives of the company come to Bali and Green School once a month to help members of the plan file claims, etc.

B.H. Financial Services Ltd, PT Finansindo Manatama Internasional
Talavera Office Park 28th Floor
Jl. TB Simatupang Kav 22-26
Cilandak Jakarta Selatan 12430 Indonesia

website : www.bhfinancialservices.com

Mr. Nick M Hayes CII (Award), Cert PFS
Managing Director
Phone : 021 7692595
email : nickbhfs@cbn.net.id

Goodbye Arni, Hello Yani

Alas, after far too short a time here, we’re losing Arni from the Welcome Desk. We’re sad to see her go and wish her all the best. (Don’t worry, she’s not leaving due to any GS-related issue.) Thanks Arni for bringing positive energy and smiles to all of your interactions here (and for making sure this newsletter gets out every week!). At the same time, we’re pleased to welcome Yani

Our own weekly news

To submit your own news updates for inclusion, please send it to communications@greenschool.org by 12 noon each Wednesday.We cannot always guarantee inclusion and we may have to delay for a week at times.

Visit the Green School Website: http://www.greenschool.org

Visit the Green School Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/greenschool