Programs & Events




Ellis Elementary School

On April 21st, Earth Day Network and Green Apple Festival sponsors and partners provided Ellis Elementary in Denver with a “Green Makeover” that educated students and made the school more environmentally friendly. This event was held in conjunction with Earth Day and the Green Apple Music Festival on April 22nd.

Leading up to and culminating on Monday, April 21st, Ellis Elementary’s “Green Makeover” consisted of a(n):

  • Outdoor learning landscape with native plants
  • Installation of 1.6 kW Adobe solar system that will save the school $50,000 over the course of 30 years.
  • Planting of “green roof” plants around school property to be transferred in coming years when school redoes their roof.
  • Greenhouse.
  • Installation of bike racks and bike safety training.
  • Supply of compost bins.
  • Exchange of lightbulbs in the school for energy efficient alternatives.
  • Indoor air quality tests.
  • Energy Star Benchmarking audit by EPA.
  • Earth Fair with student presentations and booths for environmental and community organizations.
  • Showing of “Kilowatt Ours,” a movie about energy usage.
  • Promotion of green cleaning products for Denver Public Schools
  • Organic food for teachers, staff, and students.

The day was a huge success with outstanding support from the community, parents, teachers and students. All 565 students at the school participated including 100 who planted their own native plants in the schoolyard, encouraging ownership of the garden. In addition, 160 students presented their environmental projects alongside community organizations at the Earth Fair. The fair was in itself a very large educational event, and organizations used activities and games to teach students about drainage, litter, recycling, healthy eating, alternative transportation, and energy issues. To learn more about the organizations that participated, see our Ellis Partners page.
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