River Bluff High has been honored by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The Lexington District 1 school will receive the 2018 Spare the Air Award for demonstrating environmental stewardship through voluntary measures to improve air quality in the community.

River Bluff has participated in the “Breathe Better” Anti-Idling Campaign and Air Quality Flag Program for 3 years.

Science teacher Amy Price leads the campaign for these two air quality programs.

Students check the Air Quality Index on the www.airnow.gov website every morning for the air quality forecast.

They raise a colored flag at the school to indicate the air quality for that day.

Senior Caleb Thompson makes sure the air quality flag is raised each day.

The students also participate in Sonoco’s Green Steps Environmental Program.

For their air quality project for the Green Steps program, the students check the air for particulate matter and ozone levels both outside and inside the school building.

To improve indoor air quality, the students use recycled cans as containers for “air quality purifying plants” and supply plants for every classroom.

The students continue to learn more about air quality by doing other ongoing projects, such as making plastic bag mats for those experiencing homelessness and a very active school recycling program.

In addition, the school is in the process of building a greenhouse and buying two refillable water bottle stations.

To view current and past Spare the Air Award winners visit www.scdhec.gov/sparetheairawards