PULASKI COUNTY
ONE BAG CHALLENGE 2025
“PICK IT UP PULASKI!”
Pulaski County Board of Supervisor Chair, Laura Walters, has reached out requesting a partnership with PCPS again this year on the ONE BAG CHALLENGE. As you recall, this is a challenge issued to the community to take time to pick up trash from our neighborhoods, roadways and community, One Bag at a time, even if it’s just One Bag. This year’s theme is PICK IT UP PULASKI!
We would like to change it up a little this year. As opposed to just promoting and supporting this initiative, we are issuing a call specifically to our public school Clubs, Groups & Athletic teams – at the high school and middle school level. Specifically:
National Honor Society (PCHS & PCMS)
National Technical Honor Society
Cougar Scholars Students
All Fall/Winter/Spring Athletic Teams (PCHS & PCMS)
SCA - Student Council Association (PCHS & PCMS)
Drama/Art/Choir/Band Groups/Clubs (PCHS & PCMS)
DECA Club
Skills USA
TV Media & Production Club
FFA
FBLA
HOSA
FCA
It is our desire that each of these entities form teams that commit to, plan and promote a specific date to pick up trash and debris around one of our seven (7) school campuses. (RES, DES, PES, SES, CES, PCMS & PCHS). Due to the nature of this initiative, we ask that ADULT CLUB & GROUP SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM PCPS STAFF/ADMIN commit to joining a “team” to supervise and assist. By actively promoting these ‘One Bag’ dates, we hope to encourage other students to come out and give back to this community too.
For this to work effectively, we ask that students/adult supervisors set a scheduled Saturday date (during the month of April and/or May) for each school campus and promote and this date for participation.
This wouldn’t just be a school campus clean up, it would be bagging trash from along roadways at, in front of, around or near our school campuses. Again, WE WILL NEED MANY ADULT SUPERVISORS.
The official kick off of this campaign will be announced at the BOS February 24th meeting. PCPS will announce at our March 11th meeting.
But, wait! There’s more:
Each student that participates, please submit your name for a chance to win $100.
Drawing will be held monthly at the scheduled School Board meeting(s) (April, May & June).
For each bag of trash you bag, you get one submission for the drawing; multiple bags = multiple submissions.
So, keep a bag count! And TAKE PICTURES! Participants are asked to take a photo along with their bag(s) and send it with the number of bags, location picked up, and contact information to Laura Walters, Chair, Pulaski County Board of Supervisors, at
lwalters@pulaskicounty.org
. or text to 540 230-6272. These photos will be posted on the County’s Clean Community Council website and social media platforms to recognize those who are setting a great example by displaying their Pulaski County Pride in our community through helping keep our roadsides clean.
Bags and trash collected in the County may be left on site.
Staff members who participate, your names will be added to the monthly $100 drawing held by the Board of Supervisors at their monthly meeting (March,
April, May & June meetings).
Same rules as above on name submissions.
Student members of NHS, NTHS, & Cougar Scholars Program can submit their participation hours to satisfy the volunteer hour requirements of these programs.
FOR PCHS AND PCMS STUDENTS: A Joint Pulaski County Board of Supervisors/PCPS $1000 Scholarship Opportunity
Message: "Littering is Harmful: Why Your Community is Your Responsibility Too". This year’s theme: “PICK IT UP PULASKI!” This is an excellent way to engage middle & high school students in environmental awareness and civic responsibility. These projects encourage creativity, critical thinking, and community involvement. This year, students who want to submit for this scholarship have a choice of projects:
Option 1. Community Clean-Up Initiative and Reflection Essay
Project Description: Student organizes and/or participates in a school community clean-up event (e.g., a park, school grounds, school surroundings or neighborhood) and write a minimum 1,000-word essay reflecting on their experience. The essay should address:
Why littering is harmful to the environment and community.
How their efforts made a difference.
Why they believe maintaining a clean community is everyone’s responsibility. Incorporate the theme “Pick It Up Pulaski!”
Bonus: Include photos or a short video of the clean-up event as part of the submission.
Scholarship Evaluation: Assess the essay for depth of reflection, understanding of the issue, and evidence of leadership in organizing the clean-up.
Essay/Projects should be submitted to gina.paine@pcva.us
Option 2. Social Media Challenge
Project Description: Student creates and promotes a social media challenge (e.g., #OneBagChallenge #PickItUpPulaski) to encourage their peers and community members to pick up litter and share their efforts online (utilizing Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, TikTok, and/or X). This challenge should also encourage the Pulaski County community and its citizens to have year-round awareness: “Pick It Up Pulaski!” The challenge should include:
-A clear call-to-action (e.g., “Pick It Up Pulaski!” and post a photo).
-Educational content about why littering is harmful.
-A way to track participation (e.g., a hashtag).
Deliverables: Submit a summary and samples of the challenge’s impact (e.g., number of participants, photos, videos or reach) and a reflection on how it fostered community responsibility.
Scholarship Evaluation: Assess creativity, engagement, and the student’s ability to inspire others.
*The scholarship winner will be announced at the Fine Arts Center Reception at the Pulaski Innovation Center (date to be announced).*
FOR PCPS 4TH AND 5TH GRADE STUDENTS: POSTER CONTEST! Students create an original piece of art that communicates the message “Pick It Up Pulaski!.” The design should be that of a promotional poster. They must also submit a short artist’s statement (100-300 words) explaining their inspiration and message. This artwork will be on display by the Fine Arts Center of the NRV at the PC Innovation Center in Fairlawn. Contest Winner Award: Special Gift Basket
FOR PCPS K-3RD GRADE STUDENTS: COLORING CONTEST! Picture to be colored will be provided. Contest Award Winner: Special Gift Basket
All artwork submitted by K-5 Elementary Students will be shown by the Fine Arts Center at the Pulaski County Innovation Center in April and May culminating with a reception to honor the winner. Winners in these categories will also be announced at the Fine Arts Reception (date to be announced).
Resources for Elementary Schools:
FUN FACTS:
25,000 accidents per year in the U.S. are caused by litter.
The most common littered objects are: fast food waste, paper, aluminum, glass, & plastic.
An estimated 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die each year from plastic pollution.
48% of Americans admit to lettering on a regular basis.
270,000 tons of plastic are currently floating on the surface of the ocean.
Cigarette butts make up over 50% of all littered objects.
$2 billion is spent in Hampton Roads to clean up litter.
Litter can carry and spread over 13 different germs, bacteria and viruses that cause illness.
Litter reduces property value by 7%.
700 marine species are expected to go extinct because of plastic pollution.
Teacher Resources:
https://www.stopwaste.org/at-school/5th-grade-high-school-resources
https://www.stopwaste.org/at-school/resources-for-schools
*EACH SCHOOL WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A 4’X2’ ONE BAG CHALLENGE PROMOTIONAL POSTER THAT WE ASK THEY HANG IN THEIR VESTIBULE ENTRANCES. PCHS – HANG IN THE COMMONS
All bags, safety vests, gloves and clampers will be provided by Pulaski County. PCPS will organize getting needed supplies to each school/club/group. Supplies will also be available at SBO.
