Play Encourages Elementary School Students to Conserve Energy, Recycle

The play has saved the Salem-Keizer School District nearly one million dollars in energy costs.

Alice in Blunderland Photo Courtesy: Salem/Keizer Schools

(SALEM) - A play geared towards students attending elementary schools in Marion County is teaching them, and school staff, the importance of conserving energy and water, recycling, and protecting local watersheds by not dumping water down storm drains while at school, or at home.

The play, "Alice in Blunderland", features a talented cast consisting of Kat Hill, Salem-Keizer District Utility Conservation Specialist, Heidi Liedtke, Americorps Volunteer, and Deborah Topp, City of Salem Public Works Specialist. When performances end in May, the trio will have performed at nearly all of the districts elementary schools.

Hill says the play is fun, educational, and effective. So much so that by students and staff turning off unused electrical equipment such as lights and computers they have helped the Salem-Keizer School District avoid nearly one million dollars in energy costs over the last two years.

"Alice in Blunderland", and last years play " The Wartville Wizard Goes to School" was created through a partnership with Salem-Keizer Public Schools Watt Watchers, Marion County Public Works Environmental Services, and the City of Salem Public Works Water Section. It is available at no charge to schools within Marion County.

The Watt Watcher program helps encourage staff and students to develop habits that conserve energy at school and at home Hill said.

Yoshikai Principal Zan Payne said of the play,"The children were completely enchanted throughout. Best of all -- while on lunch duty after the play I saw students discarding plastic bottles in the recycling containers.

Parents of students are more than welcome to attend the play. Just make sure to sign in at the school office before attending Hill said.

Thanks to a grant from the City of Salem Watershed Protection Program, "Alice in Blunderland" will be filmed and will be available on video to schools beginning in May.

Upcoming "Alice in Blunderland" shows:

• 4/27: Weddle Elementary 10:00 AM Forest Ridge Elementary 1:00 PM
• 4/28: Schirle Elementary 10:30 AM Wright Elementary 2:00 PM 5/4: Marion Elementary 10:00 AM Turner Elementary 12:30 PM Hazel Green Elementary 2:30 PM
• 5/5: St. Joseph's School 10:00 AM Concordia Elementary 1:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul School 2:30 PM
• 5/11: Sacred Heart School 1:00 PM
• 5/19: Victor Point School 9:00 AM Robert Frost Elementary 10:30 PM Bethany Charter School 1:00 PM
• 5/25: Stayton Christian School 10:00 AM St. Mary School 1:30 PM
• 5/26: Cloverdale School 1:00 PM

For more information on "Alice in Blunderland" or to schedule a show for your school, call Kat Hill at (503) 399-3288 or email: hill_kathleen@salkeiz.k12.or.us