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Cooley fifth-graders urge Waterford School District to replace Styrofoam lunch trays
Summary
Fifth-graders from Cooley Elementary told the Waterford School Board their research found Styrofoam lunch trays are not recyclable and can pose health risks; students urged the district to switch to reusable or compostable alternatives and provided sources for their claims.
Cooley Elementary fifth-graders told the Waterford School District Board of Education on Tuesday that the district's daily use of Styrofoam lunch trays raises environmental and health concerns and that students want alternatives.
"Did you know that the Waterford School District serves breakfast and lunch every single day on Styrofoam trays?" said Adrienne Launteen, a fifth-grade teacher at Cooley Elementary, introducing students. Student Juliana Torres told the board she and classmates asked a visitor whether their trays could be recycled and were told they could not. "We were surprised that our breakfast and lunch trays were not recyclable," Torres said.
Student Oluwatamiwa Ogedingbe told trustees that Styrofoam contains polystyrene and described health risks she associated with exposure. "When you are drinking or eating something hot off of it, the heat from your food causes the chemicals to spread out into your food," Ogedingbe said. She cited uclahealth.org while describing studies that link styrene exposure to genetic damage and certain blood cancers.
Student Charlie Gower outlined alternatives: "First, we can'use reusable plastic trays. These trays can be washed and used again." He also cited compostable options made from sugarcane, wheat straw, and bamboo fiber.
Board members praised the students' research and presentation. Assistant Superintendent Holly thanked the class and asked them to share their presentation with the district. Member Patricia said the board would "look into" the issue and raised questions about cost and logistics; Member MacGregor and Member Ristich also commended the students for speaking up.
The students asked board members directly: "Waterford School Board members, don't you think the school students of Waterford School District deserve better?" The board did not commit to a specific policy change at the meeting but requested the presentation materials and said staff would investigate options.
The students' research and requests were presented during the board's celebrations of learning portion of the meeting, not as a formal agenda action.
Ending
Board members asked staff to collect more information about alternatives and costs. The class left materials with district staff and trustees asked to receive the students' written work and sources so administrators could follow up.
