The staff of USD 397 participated Friday in an orientation about “going green.”

According to Superintendent Jerri Kimble, when the kindergarten class of 2009 graduates from high school, one-third of jobs we know today will not exist.

“New jobs will be created with one-half being ‘green’ jobs,” Kimble said. “As educators, it is our obligation to be educated about the environment and ‘going green’ so we can prepare our children for their future.”

Teachers participated in three stations to learn more about conservation and recycling.

The first station focused on conserving water — addressing the next crisis Americans may possibly face. Participants were given information about water and were instructed to fill a recycled water bottle with sand, which was placed in a toilet tank. The purpose was to divert water in the toilet tank, which conserves the amount of water used.

The group also planted a small bamboo plant and was educated on the uses of bamboo in paper plates and cups. Bamboo is biodegradable and better for the environment.

The second station illustrated how conservation begins at grocery stores when consumers purchase items that are locally grown, biodegradable, and recyclable. It also means saying “no” to plastic grocery bags and using recycled and reusable bags to bring home groceries.

The final station was a demonstration of a hybrid car.

Staff members also participated in a vision-building scenario to demonstrate the importance of all staff understanding the vision of the school of working to continue to achieve success.

To kick off recycling and the “Go Green” project, participants created hats made of tin foil and recyclable objects that reflected their job or hobbies. Winners Cindy Riedel and Marissa Makovec received a basket of locally grown produce.