Response from the volunteers, Sullivan staff, and students was overwhelmingly positive. Students, teachers and administrators thanked our staff numerous times for considering their school, emphasizing the impact this will make on the students and community for years to come. In addition, post-project evaluation shows that this project and event significantly increased the environmental awareness and education of everyone involved.

Administration:

• Murphy District Superintendent Dr. Paul Mohr : “Just want to let you know how much you have touched the lives of our community…. The Fair was powerful in its simplicity and deep in its message for our children and their parents. Job well done!”

Teachers:

• Music Teacher Nicole Navratil: “We now have a lot more awareness, community involvement and concern for our school, which is awesome. I am excited to see this continue!”
• First Grade Teacher Charles Brennan: “I have learned that it is very easy to capture and maintain student interest in the green program. It promotes pride and responsibility among students, teachers, and parents.”
• Fifth Grade Teacher Grant Miner: “I can see that the students are truly excited about being ‘green.’ They are checking out books about saving the earth and tracking each other so they recycle. I have learned that there are many options available for you even if you do not have many resources”
• “[This project was] wonderful. Not only has it been beneficial to our school and environment, it is really helping kids to become involved and take pride in their school.”
• “I thought it was fantastic! The kids and teachers learned so much and really enjoyed it. It was well organized and geared to our community and AZ landscape.”
• “Everyone who participated were very knowledgeable and I loved how they interacted with our kids and families.”
• “Pride and respect come to mind. People are excited about the project. My 1st grade students are using words like: environment, recycle and conservation. Long term benefits of the program will be exponential.”
• “Students' awareness of the issues facing our planet increased and will hopefully encourage them to do something positive about it throughout the rest of their lives.”
• “Because the students are involved in the changes, they have buy-in. They have a sense of ownership and responsibility to take care of their school now. I'm positive that many students took the info they learned home and shared with their parents.”
• “This project encompasses all areas – math, science, reading, social, etc.”
• “As the trees and garden begin to grow and produce the students will be excited about it and want to get involved.”
• “We have incorporated many science, math and recycling lessons into our classroom which has allowed the student to see how much they are impacting the earth.”
• “I can see that the students are truly excited about being ‘green.’ They are checking out books about saving the earth and tracking each other so they recycle.”
• “I learned what a little collaboration at a school can do!”
• “[I learned] lots of ways I can personally help being responsible for helping the environment. I’ve already made some changes at my house!”
• “I have noticed that this program brings people together. Programs come and go, but the new green initiative has instilled pride in our campus. The surrounding community can't help but to notice the HUGE changes to our campus.”
• “Thank you so very much… this whole greening experience is like a dream come true.”

Students:

• Seventh-grader Viviona Felix: “I’m excited about seeing all the plants grow and seeing all the volunteers help our school.”
• Seventh-grader Crissol Zavala: “The energy is very important so we can save money for our school.”
• “It was so cool, I liked it!”
• “We had fun, thank you!”
• “I hope this can happen again”
• “It was great!”

UPF Volunteers:

• “Totally loved [the project] – it’s important to get kids and community involved; kids need to start early in life. This was a good project and I hope other schools catch on.”
• “[The project] helped me realize the impact that this is going to make in kids’ lives, and [it] helps the community be proud of such an accomplishment.”
• “I think it is a great project to help move our communities toward a greener way of life.”
• “It was great to volunteer and be part of such a great change. I really feel that we need to do more of this so we can heal our planet.”
• “This is a fantastic program and definitely something I am proud to support…. I feel like I have made a difference today!”