Students at Turtle River Montessori in Jupiter proved it was easy-and profitable-being green with their Earth Day Plant Sale.

The school's student-run business, Pioneer Kids, LLC, celebrated Earth Day by selling plants in recyclable coconut shells, gently used children's uniforms, and custom-designed reusable grocery bags. They raised eco-consciousness--as well as some cash-at the sale. A portion of profits from Pioneer Kids, LLC, goes directly to the students' charity of choice, SafeHarborAnimalHospital.

A parent of one of the students came up with the idea of customizing their own reusable "green" bags last year, and brought it to the attention of the students. That idea inspired the kids to see what other environmentally-friendly goods they could sell."Today's sale stressed the importance and abundance of natural productsin our environment that can be recycled and reused in the concept of 'reduce-reuse-recycle,'" said Lainey Azarian, administrator for the school..
"Projects like these start kids thinking about what they can do to help their personal environments. They also teach them to look for causes of and solutions for problems."

Students were involved in the entire process of the sale, from designing the artwork to setting the price of the bags, and assembling plants in the coconut shell planters.

The Earth Day theme for the sale fits in nicely with the school's ethics and education regarding the environment.

Bubli Dandiya, the school's founder, believes strongly in teaching her students to care and respect the environment. "Going green isn't a luxury anymore, it is a necessity. If we want our children to be earth-friendly people, then we need to model this behavior for them and make them aware of the environment."

Plans are currently underway in constructing a brand-new "green" facility in Jupiter. The new 22,000 square foot school is expected to break ground later this year, and will be the first "green" certified private school in Florida.