Declare War On Plastic!

ONHS Needs To Go Truly Green!

My junior project is focused on making Oshkosh North’s community truly a green school. Oshkosh North by itself can’t clean up the world but it can create some momentum by getting people to talk. 

Let’s Declare War on Plastic

My project focuses on recycling plastic bags. According to the New York Times Upfront, over 100 cities have banned the use of plastic bags. The largest city being Los Angeles. This is a growing problem because all this plastic waste contributes to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch consists of mainly plastic that can swell to the size of Texas that floats between California and Hawaii. However, plastic is an issue for every city in the world.  Scientists estimate that it takes 1,000 years for some plastics to decompose.   

In 4 months, I have collected nearly 200 pounds of plastic.  However, we have more work to do!  Help me by collecting your ziploc bags, cereal bags, bread bags and grocery bags.  You can drop them off at the west entrance (door 7) of Oshkosh North High School or send them with your student.  Drop boxes are located by the Communities classrooms and in front of the Leadership room.

Supplying Teachers, Helping Students

Supplying Teachers, 

Helping Students

My project focuses on OASD teachers having to spend their 

own money to buy supplies for their classrooms due to the decline in school budgets.  Wisconsin was 43rd out of 50 states when it came to percentage changes in educational funding. With less money being given to the school districts, teachers have to pay more to fill the gap. Teachers in Oshkosh spend on average $500 to $1200 a year from the money they earn to buy supplies for their classrooms, many of which are basic supplies like pencils and paper. Without the proper supplies, it makes it difficult for teachers to do their job and provide students with the best education possible.

Pole Decorating at the Oshkosh Public Museum

I am partnering with The Teachers’ Closet, a non-profit organization that provides teachers with free supplies. I will be advocating for teachers by sending a letter to Wisconsin officials about ending budget cuts to Wisconsin’s education. I have already performed a few services to The Teachers’ Closet. I volunteered on behalf of The Teachers’ Closet at the Celebration of Lights and I made a 6 foot tall pencil out of duct work for their entry at the Oshkosh Public Museum Pole Decorating Contest. 

In addition, I will be running a philanthropy campaign in the form of a donation drive at the Oshkosh Saturday Farmer’s Market gathering supplies and raising awareness for the Oshkosh teachers. I’ll see you at the Oshkosh Saturday Farmer’s Market on March 14th and I will be accepting donations.

Cooking Competition Helps School Lunch Programs

Emily Daun's Junior Project- Cookin' it Fresh

My project is focused on the Oshkosh community, educating them about locally grown food by hosting a cooking competition and supporting the farm-to-school program. According to greensproduce.com, “foods that are purchased at a local farmers market spend less time being shipped and retain more nutritional value.” This helps illustrate the health benefit of locally grown foods and how eating local foods can improve your health. The Winnebago County 2014 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) showed that 10% of high school students did not eat any vegetables, other than potatoes, during the past seven days, compared to 6.6% nationally. Only 8.8% reported eating vegetables three or more times per day during the past seven days compared to 15.7% nationally. My project will create opportunities for the Oshkosh community to eat more local and healthier foods. 

Although my project is only targeting the Oshkosh community it is a great way to spread awareness about the locally grown foods. As I said earlier, I am raising awareness by hosting a cooking competition.  I think this will help raise awareness because students from all over the Oshkosh community will realize how delicious and healthy locally grown foods really are, and it will get people talking about not only my project, but the benefits of locally grown foods.  My event will be taking place on Sunday, April 19th at Oshkosh North High School and will open up to the Oshkosh community at 3:30. There will be 6 student teams, 3 from North and 3 from West. Each team will consist of 6-8 students per team along with a local chef, UWO alumni and also a UWO student.