A grassroots recycling program, helmed by teacher Karen Magee, has bloomed at Sherwood.

The Recycling Club initiative was born when Magee started to bring home paper to recycle, and wondered why schools couldn’t put their recyclables out on the curb like residents. After getting advice from the high school’s Keep Islip Clean Club adviser, Wayne Mennecke, and the town’s Keep Islip Clean organization, Magee determined the cost and began the project in 2019, aided by enthusiastic Student Council helpers.

Earlier this year, Sherwood’s Recycling Club placed a blue bin and sign in the cafeteria for students to recycle their plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and Town of Islip Department of Environmental Conservation recycling educator Danielle Wynn visited for an informative assembly including tips on technology recycling, creating recycled paper and what items can be recycled.

“Everyone’s minds are all for helping the earth and recycling and doing what’s right,” Magee said. “It’s just a matter of taking the actions.”