Enviromental Review
Since our Environmental Review in September 2002 the school has managed to:

improve its knowledge of environmental issues by surfing the internet and accumulating information on same;

set up and maintain a composting bin to compost our apple peel, cores etc, This will be used  for our herbal window boxes as well as in a vegetable patch that we plan to set up in Spring 2008 (our previous patch had to be relocated due to building works).

use all crisp bags, cartons, egg boxes, bottle tops and sweet papers for art lessons;

recycle Christmas cards in conjunction with Westmeath County Council;

remind the wider community that we are a bottle bank centre;

maintain our policy on separating waste material in the classroom;

implement a healthy eating school policy;

build an extension to school – new classroom, P.E. hall, IT room and Special Education room.  The buildings are environmentally friendly as:

we used timber frame structure for the new rooms; 
we used see through membrane for roof to allow maximum light and heat for P.E. Hall; and
we used sun pipes.

support charities by arranging for recyclable clothes etc. to be collected from the school grounds;

team up with a school in Finland and encourage them to become environmentally aware (they have taken on board many of our recycling and waste management ideas). Also, a team of parents from Kuussa were trained on how to erect a dry stone wall at the front of our school, by local stone mason, John Reynolds.  (Approved and funded by Leader). * (photos in our galley)

create a living willow arch as part of a garden area we intend to develop and use as a nature reserve for birds and other creatures.

Regarding Energy, we have:-

been monitoring energy in our school daily, by putting teams in place to ensure lights are switched off and appliances are switched off, doors are closed, curtains are closed in the evening etc;
created signs in both English and Irish as above and put up throughout the school;
- contacted other schools with the hope of swapping some energy saving ideas;
- contacted outside agencies to help with knowledge;
- set the heating to come on every second day rather than every day (though this may be reviewed in very cold weather)!
- circulated Energy Saving Tips to all homes;
- been purchasing cleaning materials which are eco-friendly;
- been remembering to photocopy on both sides;
- been purchasing paper and envelopes which are recycled.
- been thoroughly researching the  idea of using Wind Energy in the school. 

We are now negotiations with a company who will monitor the wind speeds.  The information will be made accessible to the students via computer.  A very exciting prospect!