On Homecoming Day, Sacred Heart Greenwich students showcased the school’s newest sustainability endeavors. Through posters and table exhibitions, members of the Sustainability Club spread their knowledge about different ways to help create a greener community. The display that welcomed families to the Homecoming celebration provided samples of fresh honey harvested from the three hives on campus.
At the event, the student beekeepers sold 36 jars of honey and shared information throughout the community about pollinators. An educational poster provided information about the harvesting process for honey and growing meadows at home. The students also shared information about native plants, wildflower seeds, local apples grown on campus, Lower School birdhouses, Earth Day, and the school’s garden and greenhouse.
Ms. Ellyn Stewart, Director of Media Studies and Design and Innovation at Sacred Heart, serves as a faculty advisor for the Sacred Heart Sustainability Club. She discussed the significance of sustainability and why the community showcased the students’ work.
“Many of the initiatives, such as becoming Audubon certified and starting a beekeeping program, have launched in just the past two years,” Ms. Stewart said. “This is an opportunity to educate Sacred Heart families and alumnae about the good work we are doing.”
Sacred Heart has initiated programs to support sustainability causes and help the environmental crisis, including the beekeeping program, the composting initiative, and the campus garden. Because the beekeeping program plays an important role in Sacred Heart sustainability, students and faculty made sure to demonstrate the significance of the program during Homecoming. Ms. Margaret Vondermeden, Mustard Seed Program Teacher, offered her insight about the importance of having pollinators on campus.
“Beekeeping teaches responsibility, teamwork, and life skills,” Ms. Margaret said. “Students can learn the importance of tending to the bees, managing the hive, and working together to ensure the well-being of the colony.”
Sacred Heart continues to make changes to make the campus more environmentally friendly. The grounds team has introduced new native plants and more composting into the community. Mr. Wilford Smyers, Grounds Manager, commented on the importance of turning discussion into action on the campus for sustainability.
“We are trying to educate our students, so we need to show that we are actually taking it seriously ourselves,” Mr. Smyers said. “It’s one thing to talk about it, but it’s another thing to show our commitment to sustainability throughout campus.”
Featured Image by Ellie Furman ’26
