Young activists launch campaign combatting climate change
After School's Young Activist Club, Middle School's Young Activists, and the High School's Environmental Justice Club are launching a three-week meatless Monday campaign. Learn more about the potential impact the initiative can have on our climate from representatives of all three clubs in the video here, and consider purchasing a meat-free meal for lunch in the Sperling Cafeteria on April 25, May 2, and May 9. Please note that due to nationwide product shortages, some menu items are subject to change.
By Sarah Wiley, Third Grade Teacher & After School's Young Activist Club Advisor
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While the traditional school setting implies that the teachers do the teaching and the students do the learning, we know that such a one-sided approach is limiting and can be detrimental to the community’s opportunity for growth and change. If teachers are doing the job right, then every day we have a chance to learn from our students. One such opportunity has arrived.
Every year each third grade student writes and delivers a persuasive speech, and this is where the real story begins. Now in fourth grade, Caroline Semler '30 wrote her speech encouraging her classmates to change their diet one day a week with a meatless Monday to combat climate change. Caroline asked that her speech by shared with Food Service Director Kelly Mozzi, who manages the Sperling Cafeteria, as well. When the 2021-2022 year rolled around, Caroline joined the After School Young Activist Club where she found other students calling for the same change.
In partnership with Middle School’s Young Activists and the High School’s Environmental Justice Club, Caroline and her fellow activists are excited to launch a three-week meatless Monday initiative at University School of Nashville.
Beginning Monday, April 25, these young environmental leaders encourage all faculty, staff, students, and families to come together for three Mondays to fight the negative environmental impact of the large meat industry. Keeping in mind that some have dietary restrictions, cultural practices, or personal reasons that prevent them from participating, the Young Activists ask for you and your family to consider joining in the three meatless Mondays — April 25, May 2, and May 9.
"Climate change is killing our planet, and if we don't stop it, our planet is going to kill us," Caroline shared. "You may feel like skipping one hamburger or hotdog isn't going to change anything, but I believe that if we all just try it and stick with it, then it will add up and really make a difference."
"Climate change is killing our planet, and if we don't stop it, our planet is going to kill us," Caroline shared. "You may feel like skipping one hamburger or hotdog isn't going to change anything, but I believe that if we all just try it and stick with it, then it will add up and really make a difference."
SAGE Dining Services, USN’s cafeteria provider, has developed a slate of delicious, nutritious meals that highlight meatless alternatives for students and faculty to enjoy at lunch each of these three Mondays and potentially incorporate into their lives long term.
Hear directly from USN scholars and activists in the video here to learn more about the impact this initiative can have. For more on how going meatless just once a week works against climate change, reference The Meatless Monday campaign or Meat Free Monday initiative for helpful details, tips, plant-based substitutions, and more.
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Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.