We need YOU!

It is our greatest pleasure to announce that RWA is participating in the 

GreenHouseGas audit / competition 
(links to competition details page)

that will be calculated by V4 advisors, in collaboration with the 

Clean Energy Business Council and Tanweer Solar Energy Technology.

GOAL: Reduce RWA energy use during APRIL and MAY 2016 more than any other school! 

PRIZE: Solar Power System for the school (holy cow!)

Now, We're a little nervous, because it's getting warmer, so we might be tempted to use more energy.

BUT,  Since last year, we have already seen what YOU can do! 

Overall, we have already reduced our energy usage per student by almost 50%.

SO 

WE 

NEED 

YOU 

TO STEP IT UP A LITTLE MORE! 

• Keep the A/C at 24 degrees.
• Shut doors when the A/C is on.
• Use natural light when you can.
• Turn off the lights when they aren't needed.
• Turn off computers, projectors, and machines.

During the months of May and April we will be monitoring our energy use closely and we hope to measure a big decrease in energy consumption. 

We are competing against other schools, so we have to commit and stick to it! 

The school that has been successful and reduced their Carbon Footprint with the highest percentage, during those 2 months (April 1->May 31, 2016) , shall win the competition and shall be winning: 

-      Solar Panels (Solar World German Brand) 4 Panels.

-      1 KW on Grid Inverter (SMA, ABB, Ingeteam, Solar World).

-      Solar Bloc, Innovated Concrete Foundation Spanish Brand- 5 Nos. Tanweer Sole agent in the MENA.

-      Cables, Breakers & Container Box.

KG1 Gardening

Even our tiniest cuties get into the GREEN theme at RWA! 

Our KG1 classes have been busy growing flowers and grasses for their last PYP unit on seasons. 

3rd Grade Recycled City

Our 3rd Grade PYP students have been incorporating eco themes into their latest unit!
They worked really hard and made this AMAZING display.

It's a RECYCLED COMMUNITY:

You can't win them all...

The primary school E-Team entered a contest to build a forest display out of recycled materials.

Well, we've won so much lately... our luck had to run out some where.

We still did a great job and are really proud of the creative work we did! Check it out!

One Planet Lifestyle?

Do you have a One Planet Lifestyle? 

If you live in the UAE - its probably more like a 4 planet lifestyle! 

The 5th Grader Members of the Eco-Team participated in a lunchtime activity to talk about "One Planet Living" with Ms. Trayle.

We learned about our Eco-Footprint in the UAE from this video:

Then we used the One Planet Lifestyle resource book to survey our own lifestyle choices. 

Eco - Garden Progress Report

As you know, last year unfortunately 

we had to sacrifice our Eco-Garden 

to make way for construction projects at RWA. 

BUT - Also as you know - We didn't let that slow us down this year! 

We've been working hard!

We've raised money with our bake sale! 

We've raised money from PARIS (parent's association)! 

See what we've done in our Eco Garden... 

SO FAR!!

Support from PARIS

PARIS is RWA's parent association. They sponsor and organize many events throughout the year. Thanks to the PARIS ECO FOCUS GROUP (part of the E-Team), they have given the E-Team a grant to purchase and plant trees around campus.

This contributed to our eco garden, but also in the Al Baraha area (hang out for secondary school near the track and field), as well as to provide a new shade area in the front gardens.

Thanks PARIS !

New Video!

Check out our newest video highlighting our most recent activities!
Whoop Whoop!

What can you do?

We all want to do our part to make this world a little greener! The World Wildlife Fund has some awesome resources for you to help make better choices at home...

First, Let's congratulate ourselves! 

At RWA we are already doing the 4 things recommended by WWF to 

"Make your school and classrooms a sustainable place."

• Encourage recycling - Our eco monitors and support staff are on top of making sure the recycling bins are used effectively!
• Switch off the lights and other appliances - Everyone at RWA (students, teachers, support staff, and even our dedicated principal) is committed to reducing electricity usage. This can be using natural light when possible, using automatic shutdowns of projectors and computers, and turning off all un-needed appliances.
• Walk or ride a bike to school - This isn't always possible in Dubai, but our community is committed! We also carpool and take busses. Sharing rides reduces transportation impact. 
• Pack a healthy lunch - From KG1 our teachers and health staff require healthy lunches be packed everyday. Our canteen is also green, using recycled paper plates rather than Styrofoam. 

RWA also follows WWF water saving tips and WWF energy saving tips - and we are using these to guide our ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW!

BUT NOW in 2016 - LET'S TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL! 

WWF has launched the One Plant Lifestyle (OPL) campaign. Check out their videos and introductions to the program here.

• The Ecological Footprint is an indicator of human pressure on nature. 
• Humanity is currently using the renewable resources of 1.5 Earths to meet our yearly demands for energy, food, shelter, and the things we do and buy.
• People living in richer, more developed countries generally have a higher Footprint than those living in less developed countries.  

Did you know that the UAE has one of the highest footprints in the world?

LET'S CHANGE THAT!

RWA aims to be a One Planet School, so we are currently undertaking a school wide environmental review. And now we need your help!

Do an environmental review of your own! 

1) Download the One Planet Lifestyle E-Book here.

2) Calculate YOUR personal ECO-Footprint:
There is one inside the E-Book, which is really great because it highlights the IMPACT of each activity.

OR you can use one of these WWF calculators... (We suggest using the UK-based calculator, but explore them all!)

3) THEN the comments section below, enter:
      (a) your actual footprint number and
      (b) 1 or 2 major steps that YOU can make in your daily life to reduce your footprint.

Try to be realistic!
Try to choose actions with a high impact!
Challenge your friends!

4) Then Play Games (with environmental themes of course) !!!
There are lots, for every level and age - And THEY ARE ALL SUPER COOL!

RWA wins ... Again!

RWA students participated in the 30 Day Eco-Challenge, sponsored by the Michigan State University - Dubai as part of the International Conference in Higher Education.

The competition chose the best environmental posters made by local students.  

RWA was the WINNER !

You might be asking... What? AGAIN?

YES, AGAIN!

RWA is AWESOME !

RWA Principal Julian Williams presents the trophy to the students at RWA!

Details of the competition

Here are some of the winning posters!