Before Winter Break, we finished up 2015 with Mini-Term: an annual tradition when we break from the normal academic schedule for a 3-day intensive dive into one topic. We rotate topics every three years to examine social justice, the environment, and culture.  This December, our focus was on the environment.

When we returned from Winter Break, we picked up where we left off. Students and teachers gathered in Room E to take another look at the hurricane we built during Mini-Term: a colorful swirl representing the causes (red), negative consequences (yellow), solutions (blue), and positive actions (green) related to global environmental change. The hurricane is a student-made map for action. Why a hurricane? Teachers chose the hurricane to symbolize the accumulated momentum of environmental damage; but they also suggested to students that the hurricane could be a metaphor for the collective power that builds when a community rallies around a cause to bring forth positive change. The outward spiral of a hurricane is an inspiring image for environmental repair and stewardship. Hyla students identified solutions and actions that we can take right here at Hyla, and have already we’ve accomplished several on the list:

• Hyla is now a certified Wildlife Habitat.
• Hyla has drafted a 10-year permaculture plan – and already planted a new orchard behind the barn!
• Hyla is now a registered WA State Green School.
• Hyla is working towards zero-waste lunches.
• Hyla created a Green Team to keep us on track.

Our work continues

As we revisited the hurricane, we reminded ourselves of what we learned during Mini-Term, and asked students to identify Hyla’s priorities moving forward. These priorities will be taken on by Hyla’s first ever “Green Team,” which will operate as an Elective with Cami to create a work plan for the future. In this way, Mini-Term doesn’t really end: its lessons and proposals live on and will influence our daily choices and actions here at Hyla. While some actions were accomplished during Mini-Term, others will be absorbed by the Green Team, and others will be shared with the Hyla Board for consideration for future works and projects.

The hurricane of environmental issues can feel overwhelming. But Jeff Steele encouraged students not to let that paralyze them: “Don’t be so afraid that you do nothing. Many of the actions in our hurricane are about mindset, and mindset alone is powerful. The hurricane is organized momentum, not just your own personal habits, but a collective commitment. That’s your leadership option where you step in and realize that it’s about all of us, together.”

We hope that parents will be caught up in the hurricane and join us in our efforts to keep Hyla green into the future.

Thank you to parents

We are incredibly thankful to the talented and passionate parents who joined our hurricane to co-lead Mini-Term Groups: Scott James in the Permaculture group; Kathleen Smith in the Sustainable Design group; and Karen Fries in the Energy Exploration group. Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge with our students and for being part of the plans that will help reduce Hyla’s carbon footprint in important ways!