PEABODY – National Honor Society students at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School are among the latest to follow in the rapidly growing trend of going green.?We?re a really big school,” said senior Jen Leavitt. “If anyone?s going to go green it should be us.”As part of their required large-scale service project, more than 40 honor society students decided to lay down the framework for what they hope will become permanent everyday environment-friendly practices at their school and many others just like it.?It was en executive decision,” said English teacher Lawrie Bertram, who serves as the group?s advisor. “It was time that Peabody High School jumped on the bandwagon.”The students divided themselves into groups, each with a different focus on their green initiative. The first group deals with beautifying the school?s outdoors with planting trees, bushes, and other small greenery, as well as cleaning up and bringing life to their underused quadrangles.A second group, lead by Leavitt, is determined to throw away the Styrofoam lunch trays for the last time.?We initially wanted to get the plastic trays and wash them,” said Leavitt. “But, it?s impossible to get (the dishwasher). So, we?re looking at getting biodegradable trays.”Leavitt said she and her group members have been in contact with several companies about using affordable and environmental friendly biodegradable trays. So far, they?ve reached a low price of six cents per tray, only four cents higher than what the school pays for the Styrofoam trays it uses now.Leavitt said Peabody High wouldn?t be able to switch to the newer, safer trays until at least next year because of current contracts.The students have, however, started recycling plastic bottles and cans in the school?s cafeteria with the recent installment of recycling bins.?We have all these ideas,” said the Society?s President Emily Niemi. “We can put bins in the halls, classrooms. Hopefully, we?ll be working on that soon.”They?ve also received approval to purchase and install two hand dryers, one for each bathroom in the cafeteria.?I hope it?ll grow next year. It?s a good investment,” said Niemi. “Maybe we should put them in all of the bathrooms.”As much as they have done so far, these go-greeners know they can?t do it all on their own, which is why they created their “it?s simple” campaign. They kicked off their advertising on St. Patrick?s Day with ever-appropriate green t-shirts featuring their slogan. They?ve also made promotional videos and currently provide a “Tip of the Week” announcement featuring helpful hints on ways their fellow classmates can get in on the earth-saving action.?We?re trying to let everyone know it?s happening,” said NHS Vice President Linda Vitale. “We?re just one school, in one city, in one state, but it?ll catch on.”?A lot of times, environmental issues get put on the back burner,” said NHS Secretary Carol Guerrero. “We?re trying to help the environmentalists.”The students hope their efforts don?t go unnoticed, especially by their younger peers, who they urge to “separate their bottles and paper.”?If it gets instilled in them now, then they?ll just know (to recycle),” said Vitale.Niemi said that she welcomes any ideas from the community on how to carry out their mission, as well as donations of plants and recycling bins.?It?s been a transition year,” she said. “It?s been hard to get started up, but I think we?ve done OK.”