The Washington Department of Ecology will be awarding 45 public and private schools across the state with cash for reducing waste and promoting sustainability through ongoing waste reduction efforts, environmental programming, and innovative curriculum.

Each of the winning schools will be receiving awards ranging from $150 to $3,150 (for a total of $28,975) from one of three categories: The Seed Award, which assists schools with initial start-up costs for the promotion of waste reduction, recycling and sustainability within the school and in the greater community; The Sustainable School Program Award, which recognizes current and/or ongoing programs that focus on recycling, sustainability and waste reduction; and the Creative Environmental Curriculum Award, which recognizes schools with original curricula that engages students and staff in issues of waste reduction, recycling and sustainability.

The annual Terry Husseman School Award winners this year include Queen Anne’s own St. Anne School, which will receive a $1,500 “seed award” for the implementation of waste reduction efforts through recycling and composting, and will specifically fund composting equipment.

“Engaging the next generation to make sustainable choices is key to maintaining a healthy future environment. And schools are natural places for learning,” said Laurie Davies, manager of Ecology’s Waste 2 Resources Program, in a press release this morning. “The schools do great work with even small amounts of funds that Ecology awards by providing innovative environmental education.”

Check out the other award winning schools here (.pdf).

The 8th bi-annual Queen Anne Home Tour and Holiday Boutique is this weekend, and there’s still time to get tickets and enjoy the most beautiful homes on the hill, all while raising money for the Queen Anne Helpline and St. Anne School and Parish.

This year the tour features seven homes – including one recently featured in Sunset Magazine – “highlighting an exclusive combination of noteworthy old-world architecture and stately new construction, with impressive city views, stylish décor and elegant design,” according to the website.

For the ticket price tour goers will get a tour booklet, map of the houses and a route stop at the Holiday Boutique, which features over 40 local vendors – everything from jewelry, clothing, antiques, art and food – and sustenance from Caffe Appassionato, all to benefit St. Anne School and Parish and Queen Anne Helpline, which has been providing social services to Queen Anne and the greater Seattle community since 1982. Patrons will have four hours to view houses on the tour at their own pace and in the order they prefer.

“The St. Anne community and Queen Anne Helpline are compassionate neighborhood groups that work on a variety of assistance programs for those in need. This festive event provides a rare opportunity for the Seattle community to view breathtaking homes and buy unique gifts with purpose,” said Mary Pat Iaci, Development Program Coordinator.

The Holiday Boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 5 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6 at Banchero Hall at the St. Anne School, located at 101 W Lee St. Admission is included with a Home Tour ticket, or with the donation of a warm blanket or monetary gift for Queen Anne Helpline.

The Queen Anne Home Tour will take place from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. Tickets are $25 in advance ($20 for senior and $30 day of). They can be purchased at Ken’s Market, located at 2400 6th Ave W, or online here. Download the Holiday Boutique vendor catalog here (.pdf).

One of our readers, a parent of a McClure middle school student, wrote to us concerning the incident of harassment and bullying that occurred last Wednesday between middle school students from McClure and St. Anne School. Kelly writes,

I am a parent of a McClure middle schooler who was NOT involved in the incident on Wednesday. I am sad and disappointed this has occurred. The McClure community has made great strides to improve our reputation in the neighborhood. I truly believe the vast majority of kids at McClure are good kids.  I would like to believe this is an isolated incident but have no way have knowing for certain. I do know that two of the kids doing the bullying involved were Queen Anne residents. This is not an issue of kids from outside the QA community harrassing the St. Anne kids. QA parents, merchants and schools need to support each other. Do not be afraid to step in if you see kids misbehaving. If you don’t feel safe doing this call the police or notify school administration. Often people do not report to the school so administration has  no way of knowing what is occuring outside of school hours. In the past, they have responsive when merchants and parents have reported inappropriate behaviors.

Thanks, Kelly. Post your thoughts in the comments below.