Sample Cards . ... Pollution Punchcard is a program of Safes Routes to Schools,
... The Pollution Punchcard contest rewards students when they choose green ...
GUIDEBOOK
Version 2. 2009
Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................ 3 How to Organize the Contest ................................. 4 Ideas for Publicizing the Contest ............................ 6 Instructions for Teachers . ....................................... 7 Instructions for Parents and Students . ................... 8 Contest Announcements ......................................... 9 Global Warming Fact Sheet . ................................. 10 Activities ................................................................. 11 Checklists ................................................................ 12 Sample Cards .......................................................... 13 Poster....................................................................... 14
Pollution Punchcard is a program of Safes Routes to Schools, a project of the Transportation Authority of Marin.
Introduction
CO2 pollutants cause global warming. Keep things cool, Walk & Bike to School.
The Pollution Punchcard contest rewards students when they choose green modes of travel – walking, biking, and can include carpooling and bus or transit. The card features the pollution gremlin which hovers over a blue sky. When the student arrives at school at designated “Punchcard Days”, the gremlin is “punched out” of the card leaving the air clear. The card is designed to be hooked onto a student’s backpack.
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How to Organize the Contest: 1
The Basics The Pollution Punchcard emphasizes the connection between how we travel and air pollution and global warming. Students are encouraged to use “green” modes of transportation on designated punch card days. There are two ways to run the contest: For Beginning Schools If you are a beginning school then organize a Walk and Roll to school day once a week. This is similar to organizing International Walk to School Day but on a smaller scale (see Walk and Roll guidebook). Set up a table at school at the best location where most students will be arriving. Those that are walking and biking or can show that they carpooled or took the bus, get their card punched and get a reward from the grab bag. After their card is full, they turn it in for a special prize and to be entered into a raffle to win a new bike. For Advanced Schools Add another random day to be a second Pollution Punchcard day for the week. The randomness entices students to use green modes every day because they will not know when their card will get punched. If you add in random days, students could have the opportunity to complete two cards for a four week contest. For All Schools On the day that cards are punched, put out a banner or sandwich board to alert students where the “Pollution Punchers” will be located. Students who have walked or biked to school (or carpool or bus if you decide to include that) will have one gremlin “punched out” by volunteers. We will provide you with a specially shaped punch so that students cannot use a normal circle punch on
their own cards. When a student has all four gremlins punched out they turn in their card for a new one and receive a reward. They then get the card entered into the raffle. The raffle is then held at the end of the contest period. We recommend that you hold the contest for four weeks but you can keep it going longer if you wish. Focus on Earth Day The Pollution Punchcard is designed to educate students about global warming and offering them an opportunity to make a difference. Therefore it is suggested that this contest occur around Earth Day in April. This is an opportunity to empower students to make small changes in their own lives that can affect the global environment. Use this opportunity to focus on the effects global warming has on our environment and on our lives. Safe Routes to Schools offers special Earth Day classes that can help students focus on these issues. Teachers may also choose to use this contest as an opportunity to augment existing curriculum on global warming and climate change. Getting Started Start announcing the contest at least two to three weeks prior to the start of the contest with posters and announcements. One week prior to the contest, distribute cards to the students with instructions on how to play. This can be done through backpack mail or by sending a volunteer to each classroom. The contest can also be explained to the whole school during a regular scheduled assembly or using the Safe Routes to Schools’ Assembly.
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How to Organize the Contest: 2 Eliminate Four Car Trips
POLLUTION PUNCHCARD
Participating in the Contest Be sure that the students understand how the contest works and what restrictions apply. Let them know that they will have their cards punched on regular walk to school days. Include the days, time and location(s) of how to turn in cards when you advertise the contest, so students fully understand how to participate. For advanced schools remind students that there will be random, unannounced times when the cards will be punched. Good places to set up your check-in table are: • At a central location in front of the school • At the school bike racks • At the main entrance to the school • At various entrances to the school for random days The check-in process is easy, just follow these simple steps: • Arrange for at least two volunteers per check-in table. More volunteers are recommended if you have a large number of students participating. This is a great activity for the Student Leadership. • Provide your volunteers with the following materials: punch (you will be supplied with a special punch that cannot be duplicated,) rewards, permanent marker pen (for students to write their names and phone numbers), extra punch cards, refreshments (optional.)
• Children who have completed their cards will be exchanging their cards for a reward, and new punch card at the table. • Make sure that the student writes their name and phone number on card. • For students who ride the bus, you can ask the bus driver or the bus monitor to punch their cards. • For students who carpool, you may need to station someone at the drop off zone to identify those students who carpool. For Frequent Riders You can keep track of those students who turn in cards on a regular basis. Publish their names in the school newsletter or on a special bulletin board. You can ask your PTA to provide special rewards for the top-earning students. For Those Who Can’t Walk or Bike to School You can also create special tasks for children who really cannot participate because of where they live, disabilities or because of before and after school care. Have them create a poster or write an essay on global warming or one that encourages more walking and biking and let them chose a reward. Put these up on the bulletin board. You can also have them volunteer at the table checking cards.
• Punch the cards for every student that has walked, biked (carpooled or bussed) to school and let them choose a reward from the grab bag.
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Ideas for Publicizing the Contest
1.
Provide teachers with information about the contest. It has been proven important to provide teachers with the correct contest information and ensure that they fully understand how it works, to avoid teachers misinforming their students about it.
2.
Announced the contest at an assembly program. Safe Routes to Schools can bring the Pedal Power assembly to your elementary school to get the kids excited about the contest, educate them about the environmental benefits of walking and biking and provide an introduction for you to announce the contest.
3.
Assign volunteers (especially room parents who walk or bike with their children to school) to go to each class and explain the contest and answer questions. This is also a great opportunity to involve your student council/leadership to assist in announcing the contest to the classes. Be sure to train the students ahead of time so that they understand the contest and can effectively present it to the students.
4. Advertise the contest in your weekly school newsletter. You can use newsletter announcements to both publicize the contest and to announce the names of the winners. 5.
Post the contest posters on walls and bulletin boards. Use the same bulletin boards to advertise the names of the students who have won prizes. Create a display somewhere in the school that publicizes the contest and shows the prizes that students can win.
6. Provide the school office with weekly loudspeaker announcements that remind kids to participate and to turn in their cards. Change the announcements from week to week by adding in the names of students who are being very active in the contest or name the prizes to be raffled off at the contest’s end. 7.
Provide a graphic display that demonstrates how the students are cleaning the air. For instance, show a blow-up of Mt. Tam covered with pollution gremlins. Every week remove gremlins for every card turned in until the picture of Mt. Tam is clear. Post how many pounds of carbon have been saved from the atmosphere.
8. Have class discussions on global warming and climate change. Ask the students to talk about all the ways that they can make a difference. 9. Invite students to submit poster or essays on global warming and climate change and post the entries in your school newsletter or on your bulletin board. Ask the teachers to make this a homework assignment. 10. Invite students to submit poster or essays on global warming and climate change and post the entries in your school newsletter or on your bulletin board. Ask the teachers to make this a homework assignment.
It is most effective to use all these methods simultaneously.
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Instructions for Teachers For All Schools: The Pollution Punchcard contest will be starting next week. This sheet contains a description of the contest and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you answer any questions your students may have. Description The Pollution Punchcard contest rewards children who come to school by walking, biking, (carpool or bus). Every time a child walks, bikes, (carpools or takes the bus) to school on weekly Walk and Roll to School Days they stop in at the check-in table and get their card punched. When all four gremlins are punched out of their card they can exchange it for a new card and get a special reward plus they are entered into a raffle to win a new bike. For Advanced Schools: In addition, volunteers will be posted on random days and at random locations to punch cards for those who walk, bike, (carpool or take the bus) on non-Walk and Roll to School Days. Date(s):
Location(s):
Frequently Asked Questions Where do I turn in my card? Cards are punched at the table on Walk and Roll to School Days. Completed cards should be turned in at that time. What can I win? For every punch, students will be able to choose a reward from the grab bag. For every card they turn in they will get an extra prize and be entered into a raffle to win a new bike. I lost my card. Where can I get a new one? The school office will have more cards or will provide you with the name of the Safe Routes to Schools parent volunteer who can replace the lost one.
The following questions are for specific issues that will relate to individual school programs. I take the bus to school. Can I participate? Safe Routes to Schools recommends that you include students who take the bus to school. Each school will organize the contest in the way that is appropriate for their resources and needs. I come in a carpool. Can I participate? Safe Routes to Schools recommends that you include students who carpool. Students will need to demonstrate that they have carpooled, either with a note from their parents, or by stationing someone at the drop off zone to identify carpoolers. Does it count if my mother dropped me off down the street and I walked from there? Safe Routes to Schools recommends that students have walked at least a ¼ mile to be fair to those students who walk from home but allows those who live far away to participate. Set up a remote drop off area where students can walk together the rest of the way.
Start Time: End Time:
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Instructions for Parents and Students
Remember: 1. Use crosswalks when walking to school. 2. Wear your helmet when bicycling to school.
Included with this letter is a Pollution Punchcard. This contest will occur for a period of four weeks, from ____________ to ____________. During this time period, students will be rewarded for walking, biking, (carpooling and bussing) to school. If you follow these simple steps you and your child will be able to enjoy the fresh air and wonderful times of getting to school together, combat global warming and air pollutionand be eligible for some great prizes! • Walk, bike (carpool or bus) to school. • Clip your card to your backpack or somewhere where it can’t be lost and will always be with you when you come to school • Bring your card into your school’s weekly scheduled Pollution Punchcard check-ins for a volunteer to punch. Each time your child will be rewarded from the grab bag and for every card completed, he or she will receive a reward provided by Safe Routes to Schools and will be entered into the school-wide raffle for a new bike. • There will be volunteers punching cards at random locations on unannounced days, so be sure to walk, bike (carpool or bus) as much as possible to earn more rewards and better your chances of winning the raffle.
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Contest Announcements
NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Middle of the Contest Announcement
Note: Use the Global Warming fact sheet on page 8 to boost your newsletter announcements
How many Pollution Gremlins have you eliminated? Have you biked, walked, (carpooled or bussed) recently? If you have, you are eligible to win some great prizes including a new bike! Remember to keep your Pollution Punchcards you received with you at all times and bring them in on the weekly scheduled Walk and Roll to School check-in days. The table is located at _______________________________(location) on __________________________(day/s) with rewards for those who have completed their card. If you have questions, please call _____________________________ (provide name and phone number.)
Introducing the Contest Are you concerned about global warming? Want to take small steps to make a difference. Join the fun of the Pollution Punchcard contest and win prizes for walking, biking, (carpool or bussing) to school.
LOUDSPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENTS Middle of the Contest Announcement Have you been biking, walking, (bussing or carpooling) to school recently? Are you keeping track of your gremlins on your Pollution Punchcard you received? You can win prizes when you punch out all four gremlins! Remember to bring your card in on ___________________ (day)s. The table is located at_________________ (location) between _________ and __________ (times).
Last Day of Contest Announcement Bring in your Pollution Punchcards tomorrow and drop them off at ___________________ (location of drop off). This is your last chance to join the raffle to win a new bike from Safe Routes to Schools. Thanks to everyone for reducing traffic at our school and reducing pollution in Marin.
For the next ___ weeks, students will be rewarded at school for getting to school in green ways. Safe Routes to Schools will provide prizes to children who walk or roll to school. Make sure your child has their Pollution Punchcard with them at all times for your child to make them eligible to win prizes – including a new bike. See the instructions that come with your child’s Pollution Punchcard to find out how to play.
For advanced schools: There are even more chances to win. Be prepared for surprise days when we will also be punching cards. Walk and roll every day for more chances to win.
Final Week of Contest Announcement This is the last week of the Pollution Punchcard contest. REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CARDS INTO THE OFFICE BY FRIDAY at the weekly check-in table. Thanks so much for participating. We hope that you have enjoyed your trips to and from school. Stay tuned for the winners of the raffle prizes. Prize Winners Announcement We are pleased to announce the winners of the Pollution Punchcard contest. They are: __________________________(list names of students and their prizes. Some team leaders list all the names of the kids that participated.) Thanks to everyone that participated. Stay safe, have fun and help fight global warming. For more information on volunteering for Safe Routes to Schools, please call ____________________________ (provide name and phone number.)
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Global Warming Fact Sheet Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps our planet habitable. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and temperatures are rising. The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, it’s already happening and that it is the result of our activities and not a natural occurrence. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.
Local Discussion Topics:
We are already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing. • The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years. Hurricane Katrina is one example.1 • Malaria has spread to higher altitudes in places like the Colombian Andes, 7,000 feet above sea level.1 • The flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more than doubled over the past decade.1 • At least 279 species of plants and animals are already responding to global warming, moving closer to the poles.1 • The National Academy of Science has informed Congress that the Earth is the hottest it has been in 400 years.2 • The incidence of extreme weather events has gone up 28% since 1975 and it is now confirmed that the Artic ice caps are melting, threatening coastal regions with flooding and actually drowning some small islets. Polar Bears are drowning.3
www.climatecrisis.net SF Chronicle 7/23/06 3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 4 Way to Go, British Columbia 5 www.climatecrisis.net 6 Green Commutes, Makower, Canada 7 Divorce your Car, Katie Alvord, 2000 1
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No Exit © Andy Singer
• Marin experienced extreme flooding New Year’s Eve 2005 and extreme heat as high as 110 degrees in the summer of 2006. After making a remarkable comeback. Coho Salmon are once again disappearing from our streams and oceans. Are these events a result of global warming? How could these affect our lives in the future? • According to the Environmental Education Council of Marin, Marin has a higher ecological footprint than the rest of the U.S. (27 global acres vs. 25 for the nation). What is an ecological footprint? What can your family do to reduce your ecological footprint? Can your transportation choices make a difference?
You Can Make a Difference ✔ Short motor trips contribute significant amounts of air pollution because they typically occur while an engine’s pollution control system is cold and ineffective. Shifting 1% of automobile trips to walking or biking decreases emissions by 2–4%.4 ✔ Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year!5 ✔ Sharing a ride with someone just 2 days a week will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year.5 ✔ If just one out of every 10 commuters who now drive to work switched to walking, we’d save 2 billion gallons of gas a year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25.4 million tons.6 • Every car commuter who switches to biking and transit can save 400 gallons of gas a year.7 • Going by bus instead of car cuts nitrogen oxide pollution by 25%, carbon monoxide by 80% and hydrocarbons by 90% per passenger mile.7
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Pollution Punching Activities The average American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services we consume. Here are some activities that can help students to look at ways they can reduce their own generation of CO2.
Carbon Calculators
Greenhouse in a Bottle
Using fossil fuels leads to the emission of carbon dioxide, a key contributor to global climate changes. Using a Carbon Calculator gives a good indication of how much carbon emissions are created as part of your day-to-day routine. You can figure out your own personal usage with a Carbon Calculator available online at a number of web sites.
This activity is available through Safe Routes to Schools
• From An Inconvenient Truth: http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/ carboncalculator/ This web site will give you lots of ways in which you can take action and reduce your carbon emissions • World Resources Institute: www.safeclimate.net/calculator/ offers them and will assist you in calculating your carbon emission from your travel and home use. • A Simple Calculator from England: www.bestfootforward.com/carbnlife.htm takes minutes to complete and does not require PG&E bills. A brief analysis of the impact of the carbon emissions is provided, as well as links for research. • Green Score: www.greenscore.org.uk shows how the little things you do make a big difference in four easy-to-follow sections on energy, water, shopping and transportation. (Information provided from Routes 2 to Action published by Sustrans, England.)
A hands-on science project or can be set up as a demonstration. Students work in teams to simulate the earth’s environment; doing a comparison and contrast of a pre and post-greenhouse atmosphere. After the class sets up the experiment, while waiting for the results, you have an opportunity to discuss how cars and non-renewable energy affects the environment. Materials: Two liter clear plastic bottles (soda bottles work nicely), potting soil, water, a utility-knife, Magic markers: one brown, one blue • Divide students into teams of four. • Have each team stuff the soil into the narrow mouth of the 2-liter bottle, keeping the bottle over a bucket so that the spilled dirt is caught. Get as much of the soil into the bottle as possible (up to ½ cup). • Pour the water into the narrow mouth of the bottle. • Half of the teams: cut holes near the top of the bottle (three crescent-shaped holes about two inches long). Color the top of the bottle blue. • The other teams: put cap on the bottle; color the top of the bottle brown. • All teams place their bottles outside in the sun. • All teams predict what will happen inside their bottle.
Transit / Bike Field Trips Safe Routes to Schools offers lesson plans on bicycle and transit field trips. Determine a place your class wants to go and then plan out a way to get there by bike and/or transit. Use this as an opportunity to evaluate your streets for safety or the efficiency and convenience of your transit system.
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Checklists Check-In Table Supplies
Contest Coordination Tasks
Volunteers - two or three
Tables – best to have two, one close to the bike rack
Seats – two or three
Inform the school administration and the PTA of the contest
Use the instruction sheet templates for the teachers (modify it to fit how you are running the contest) and inform them of the contest
Permanent marker pens
Recruit volunteers
Punch
Pick up punch cards, coupons, prizes and contest posters from SR2S staff
Rewards provided by Safe Routes to Schools
Post posters
Extra cards and instruction sheets
Post contest announcement in the school newsletter
Distribute Pollution Punchcards and instructions
Ask Principal to make loudspeaker announcements and provide script
Coordinate card check-in days
Coordinate collection of cards on contest’s last day
Tally participation numbers for each student
Coordinate raffle prize assembly or announcement
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Pollution Punchcard Sample
Eliminate Four Car Trips
POLLUTION PUNCHCARD
Win Fun Prizes! Name Grade Teacher Phone
CO² pollutants cause global warming. Keep things cool, walk, & roll to school!
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Grand Prize: a new Marin Bike
Get your card punched four times for walking or biking to school and WIN!
WIN VALUABLE PRIZES
Keep Things Cool, Walk & Bike to School!
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS SPRING CONTEST
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS PROGRAMS
Safes Routes to Schools is a project of the Transportation Authority of Marin.
