With Earth Day coming up this Friday (April 22), the focus is on environmental awareness. There are lots of things your PTO or PTA can do to help students think more about the environment and to make your school more green. Some of my favorite ideas:

Walk to School Day: Have volunteer chaperones meet groups of children at predetermined spots, then walk together to school. It's healthy, it's fun, and it cuts down on traffic.

No-Waste Lunch Week: See if you can keep the trash barrels empty by recycling, composting, and reusing.

Go Green Night: Hold a family night that teaches kids about energy conservation, recycling, and more. Our free Go Green Night kit has lots of fun and informative activities.

Here are a few other links from ptotoday.com with green ideas:

• One group's innovative green programs


• Making your PTO green


• More on making your school green

Best wishes and happy Earth Day!