Spirit Lake students learn tips to reduce trash, recycle

Nearly every hand in the gymnasium shot into the air Monday when Sam Ross asked Spirit Lake Elementary School students how many drink water out of plastic bottles.

Then, a collective gasp, when Ross revealed that 2.5 million plastic water bottles end up in the trash each day in America.

Drink out of a glass instead, the principal planner for Kootenai County Solid Waste told students.

Eat ice cream out of cones instead of plastic dishes.

Write on both sides of a piece of paper.

“No matter how small the effort it makes a difference,” said Ross, who visited the school on Earth Day to talk about ways students could reduce the garbage they make – and recycle when possible.

Schools throughout Kootenai County collected more than 1,300 tons of recyclables in 2007 – an effort that raised thousands of dollars for school districts and cut each district’s garbage bill in half.

Residents can recycle newspapers, magazines and aluminum cans at 44 public school sites in Kootenai County. Most also have bins for cardboard recycling.

Schools get the proceeds from the sale of all recyclables collected at their site, Ross said. In addition to the county’s school recycling program, Ross said several schools also participate in other recycling programs, collecting office paper, pop bottles and other items.

By participating in the county’s school recycling program schools receive a 50 percent discount on their solid waste bills.

The Plummer-Worley School District saved $1,500, Coeur d’Alene School District saved nearly $30,000, the Post Falls School District saved about $28,000, the Lakeland School District saved more than $8,600, Kootenai School saved $2,692, Canyon School saved $1,166 and North Idaho College saved more than $17,000.

Facilities Levy forum scheduled

A forum on the Coeur d’Alene School District’s upcoming School Plant Facilities Levy is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Lakes Middle School, 930 N. 15th St.

The $31.1 million levy goes to voters on May 20 and would fund construction of a new Lakes Middle School and a new elementary school. The district would also use money from the two-year levy to purchase property and improve technology at all district schools.

A tour of the middle school is planned following a presentation and question-and-answer session.

Students win awards at Heritage Festival

More than 100 Lake City High music students participated in Seattle’s Heritage Festival April 17 to 19, bringing home group and individual awards.

The LCHS Vocal Ensemble and the Orchestra were awarded a second-place silver.

The Symphonic Band received a second-place gold, Adjudicator’s Choice Award and a 2008-09 Festival of Gold invitation.

The Chamber Choir received a first-place gold and an invitation to the Festival of Gold.

Band and Orchestra Director Tim Sandford said the Festival of Gold is held in a professional performance hall with the help and instruction of professional musicians.

The LCHS Jazz Band 1, also invited to the Festival of Gold, received a first-place gold award, Adjudicator’s Choice Award and Best in Festival Instrumental Group.

The Orchestra and Band received the Instrumental Sweepstakes award and the LCHS Music Department was recognized as the Overall Festival Sweepstakes winner.

Individual students recognized included: Brad Kacalek, Maestro Award for excellence in playing lead trumpet in Jazz Band 1 and David Mills, Maestro Award for excellence in playing a solo feature ballad as part of Jazz Band 1.

Open House at NIC

North Idaho College is hosting an open house next Saturday for people interested in enrolling in the college’s professional-technical programs.

Information will be available on 20 programs including carpentry, accounting assistant, collision repair, computer-aided design technology, law enforcement, culinary arts, machine technology, resort/recreation management and office careers.

Instructors will be available to answer questions and provide information on financial aid and the admissions process. Students who attend the Professional-Technical Extravaganza can apply for NIC without paying the usual $25 application fee. There will be a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship during the open house.

The event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NIC’s Hedlund Building.

For information, call 769-3226.

CSD students displaying art

The Coeur d’Alene School District’s Student Art Exhibit, with art from students throughout the district, will be on display Tuesday through May 16 at the Human Rights Education Institute by Coeur d’Alene’s City Park. The Institute is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Low-cost computers available

Families unable to afford a home computer may be eligible for a refurbished computer through the Boise nonprofit Computers for Kids, Inc.

The donated, used Pentium IV computers can be purchased for a $35 processing fee and come loaded with two educational software programs.

Students must complete an application and write a one-page essay about why they want a computer and what educational purpose it will serve. The computers could be distributed in July.

For information and an application, call 345-0346 or visit the Computers for Kids Web site at www.cfkidaho.org. The deadline to apply is May 31.