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Most Commonly Asked
Questions for Parents: |
- What do I need to do to prepare my child for the field trip?
Answer: Preparation for this field trip can take many forms.
If your school plans to have a
No-Waste Lunch,
then your student needs to be educated about what this means. We
want students to begin to take responsibility for their own waste stream.
No-waste lunches are a great way for you to talk to your children about
waste reduction. They are also a great way to save money and avoid
buying Lunchables. Please visit the
No-Waste
Lunch hyperlink and it will give you much more information.
- What does my student need to wear? Answer: Please
dress comfortably in layers. It is often cooler at the landfill
because it is up on a hill and there seems to be a constant breeze.
Wear comfortable sneakers or boots that you aren't afraid to get muddy.
Always bring a light jacket in the Spring and Fall. It is a good
idea to have sunscreen and bug repellant if needed. Basically, plan
for a day outdoors.
- What type of facilities are at the Learning Center?
Answer: Currently, we have a wonderful outdoor pavilion and outdoor
classroom areas. It is important to understand that the entire
fieldtrip is outdoors. We are using port-a-potties temporarily.
Kids are fascinated by the port-a-potties. We plan to have more
permanent facilities built by Fall 2004. We will have some water
available, but please make sure your student has at least 2 water bottles
for themselves.
- Is visiting the landfill safe? Answer: Yes!
Many parents ask this question and even some teachers. There is no
toxic goop at the landfill that will harm students or adults. People
work at the landfill everyday. No hazardous materials are accepted
at our landfill and even if they accidentally got in, there are multiple
safe guards against them leaching into our environment. If you are
concerned about safety, then we strongly encourage you to come on the
field trip with us and see for yourself. Our landfill is something
every resident should be proud of. It is a beautiful place that
looks more like a park than a dump.
- Does the landfill stink? Answer: Surprisingly no.
The only odiferous area is the active household waste cell and we only
spend a few minutes there. We do an activity all over the landfill
with the kids called the "sniff test" to test whether is stinks.
Most of what you smell is fresh country air.
- What should I expect after the field trip? Answer:
Expect your students to be very excited about recycling. They will
most likely encourage your recycling efforts in your home. Even with
adults, it is difficult to visit the landfill and not have a strong desire
to reduce your waste. Seeing the mounds of daily garbage makes a
huge impression on the kids. Please keep in mind a few figures when
your child gets home: Every person in the United States generates 1
ton of garbage per year. Blount County puts 380 tons of garbage per
day into the local landfill. Also keep in mind that your children
will be adults when space runs out at our landfill. They will be the
decision makers who will decide what to do with waste at that time.
Teaching these lessons at an early age is extremely important to prolong
the life of our local landfill.
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