Monte Vista’s students and staff have gone to great lengths to incorporate sustainability into most aspects of running the school. Sustainability is achieved through the use of recycling as well as by reducing the consumption of essential goods. This effort will reduce the amount of clutter and trash that ends up in the landfill and it will direct recyclable materials into county and commercial recycling programs.
Sustainability is taken very seriously at Monte Vista. Over the last few years, there has been a significant transformation in how food and paper items are consumed and discarded. Starting from the cafeteria where the service staff have set up a system where the students can put back the items that they did not consume. They also have incorporated a food recycling system where leftover food is put into compost. The MV faculty also has a part in moving the school towards sustainability. One of the teachers, Mr. Bowling, came up with an idea of selling cans for cash. He has created a system where he collects used cans consumed by the students and the faculty. He regularly recycles these cans to enhance sustainability.
The students at Monte Vista have also come together and created various clubs to address climate change issues. One of the clubs is named Climate Action Now. The goal of this particular club is to take action locally both on campus and off campus to preserve the environment and to create awareness in the wider student body. Elizabeth Kiaie is a senior at Monte Vista and she is the secretary of this club who provided some additional insight into the inner workings of this club. In speaking with Kiaie, it became apparent the club has a strong focus on addressing local environmental issues. The club picks up trash and makes signs around campus to separate trash from recycling.
Outside of school, the Climate Action Now club partners with Mission Coral club at Dougherty Valley High School for joint projects and coming together to bring awareness. Last year, the two clubs stood on street corners to advocate for climate change causes and to educate the community.
