Objective 2:
Student-driven Sustainability Practices
Green School Club
It was time for our own Green School Club. A group of students meet each year for two months. They choose their activities and what they want to study. In the first year, 2014 the club worked on the first circle garden. They weeded and brought the needs of the garden to into the PTA's focus. They work on some designs for the PTA to consider. With the PTA's sponsorship and help from a local architect the garden was replanted using native plants that will be easier to maintain.
In the second year of the Green School Club the students wanted to join in with the third grades project and work on the stream area restoration. The club members studied water quality and erosion of the stream bed.
The DNR Volunteer Attended one of the green school Club meeting to present the program:
Explore and Restore Maryland Streams joins teachers and students from all around Maryland in taking action to care for Maryland’s streams. As a key part of Bay restoration, students from grades K-12 are adopting, investigating, and taking action to restore the health of their local stream. The program will introduce your students to the amazing natural features of streams right in their own communities, making rigorous learning as much fun as it is beneficial.
The club then chose activities from the DNR's lessons and activities. They collected data and plan to continue the study over time. They are hoping that the clean-up and restoration of native plants will make a positive difference in the stream water quality and help stop erosion.
1. Reconstruction of a Stream Path
In the Fall of 2015, a third grade class was using a stream area at the bottom of the school's property for a science activity. The students were upset at the amount of trash that surrounded them. They immediately filled their collection bags with trash to take back to the school. A small group in the class started to organize another clean-up knowing we had only removed a small amount of the trash. A day after school became the groups first of many organized clean-ups to work on this special area. The other third grades heard of their efforts and also took science trips to the stream and helped to clean. The third grade class then worked with the neighboring community to plan a full Saturday clean-up. Blue Water Baltimore got on board and help remove some large items. A master gardener joined in the day to help lead the clearing of many invasive plant species. The third grade make a change with their efforts. Now the path is used as a safe science outdoor classroom as well as a neighborhood green space
In the Fall of 2015, a third grade class was using a stream area at the bottom of the school's property for a science activity. The students were upset at the amount of trash that surrounded them. They immediately filled their collection bags with trash to take back to the school. A small group in the class started to organize another clean-up knowing we had only removed a small amount of the trash. A day after school became the groups first of many organized clean-ups to work on this special area. The other third grades heard of their efforts and also took science trips to the stream and helped to clean. The third grade class then worked with the neighboring community to plan a full Saturday clean-up. Blue Water Baltimore got on board and help remove some large items. A master gardener joined in the day to help lead the clearing of many invasive plant species. The third grade make a change with their efforts. Now the path is used as a safe science outdoor classroom as well as a neighborhood green space
WASTE REDUCTION |
Grade 1
Trash-Free Lunch Week
Students weighed and counted bags of trash after lunch during a regular week. The data was recorded onto graphs and sorted by grade level. During the trash-free lunch week, the garbage bags were counted and weighed again. In their math classes, students recorded this data onto graphs as well. They compared and discussed the difference in the weight and amount of trash from the two weeks. The students were amazed at the decrease in the amount of trash during the trash-free lunch week! This activity proved how the simple act of using reusable containers for lunch can help keep trash out of our landfills.
"Remember this is from a tree!" Stickers
Mrs. Thompson's first grade class learned about waste reduction. Students felt that a huge factor in excessive waste was the overuse of paper towels in the bathroom. For this reason, they brainstormed as a class and came up with their own design for a sticker to remind students not to overuse the papertowels. They placed these stickers on all the paper towel receptacles in our building! Students in other grades saw this visual reminder and were encouraged to use only what was necessary to dry their hands.
Students weighed and counted bags of trash after lunch during a regular week. The data was recorded onto graphs and sorted by grade level. During the trash-free lunch week, the garbage bags were counted and weighed again. In their math classes, students recorded this data onto graphs as well. They compared and discussed the difference in the weight and amount of trash from the two weeks. The students were amazed at the decrease in the amount of trash during the trash-free lunch week! This activity proved how the simple act of using reusable containers for lunch can help keep trash out of our landfills.
"Remember this is from a tree!" Stickers
Mrs. Thompson's first grade class learned about waste reduction. Students felt that a huge factor in excessive waste was the overuse of paper towels in the bathroom. For this reason, they brainstormed as a class and came up with their own design for a sticker to remind students not to overuse the papertowels. They placed these stickers on all the paper towel receptacles in our building! Students in other grades saw this visual reminder and were encouraged to use only what was necessary to dry their hands.
Recycle Day Song and Morning Announcements
Morning Announcements 2016
Recycling Announcements
Every Monday morning, students from the second grade make an announcement to the school about recycling. After the announcement is made, a recycling song is played to get the kids motivated and excited about recycling. We have recycling trash cans set up in various places around the building and after the announcements, students take their classroom recycling bin to the central location to dump it. From there, the custodians came around and collected the recycling cans to dispose in our dumpsters outside.
Our Announcement
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle. Today is the day to recycle. Teachers please have 2 students carry your recycle bin to the nearest recycle center and empty the bin. Collecting your used paper and cardboard instead of putting it in the trash can really make a difference. And now for your listening enjoyment, our school recycle song, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".
Our Song
“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”—Jack Johnson
Every Monday morning, students from the second grade make an announcement to the school about recycling. After the announcement is made, a recycling song is played to get the kids motivated and excited about recycling. We have recycling trash cans set up in various places around the building and after the announcements, students take their classroom recycling bin to the central location to dump it. From there, the custodians came around and collected the recycling cans to dispose in our dumpsters outside.
Our Announcement
Recycle, Recycle, Recycle. Today is the day to recycle. Teachers please have 2 students carry your recycle bin to the nearest recycle center and empty the bin. Collecting your used paper and cardboard instead of putting it in the trash can really make a difference. And now for your listening enjoyment, our school recycle song, "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".
Our Song
“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”—Jack Johnson
Music
Reusable Musical Instruments. 2014
Green School Songs
2nd and 3rd grade students learned about the environment, recycling and waste reduction through a variety of songs in their vocal music class. They learned the song Mother Earth by Teresa Jennings and discussed all of the green school activities our school has been doing to help our environment. 2nd grade learned the song “Clean Up Our World” by Teresa Jennings. Students discuss ways to make instruments out of reusable materials. An activity was for students to make instruments out of reusable materials at home to bring to class and perform with the song.
2nd and 3rd grade students learned about the environment, recycling and waste reduction through a variety of songs in their vocal music class. They learned the song Mother Earth by Teresa Jennings and discussed all of the green school activities our school has been doing to help our environment. 2nd grade learned the song “Clean Up Our World” by Teresa Jennings. Students discuss ways to make instruments out of reusable materials. An activity was for students to make instruments out of reusable materials at home to bring to class and perform with the song.
Whole School
November 12, 2016
Front Circle Beautification/Native Plants
Did you notice the the Green Club working in the front flag circle? The garden was very overgrown with non-native plants. The Green Club was overwhelmed with the work. With the Gardening Committee's oversight, several enthusiastic Stoneleigh Elementary School parent and student volunteers gathered on a lovely Saturday to beautify the front of the school. All hands were on deck for a few hours to dig, plant and mulch the flagpole area in the front circle. Thank you so much to the Gardening committee - Michelle Gutberlet, Mark Gutberlet, Peter Ismay, Mark Lewandowski and Alice Storm Jones for planning and organizing this PTA project.
Did you notice the the Green Club working in the front flag circle? The garden was very overgrown with non-native plants. The Green Club was overwhelmed with the work. With the Gardening Committee's oversight, several enthusiastic Stoneleigh Elementary School parent and student volunteers gathered on a lovely Saturday to beautify the front of the school. All hands were on deck for a few hours to dig, plant and mulch the flagpole area in the front circle. Thank you so much to the Gardening committee - Michelle Gutberlet, Mark Gutberlet, Peter Ismay, Mark Lewandowski and Alice Storm Jones for planning and organizing this PTA project.
Technology
Stoneleigh's Race for Education, 2010 and 2017
Race For Education
As a school wide technology fundraiser, students in all grade levels participated in a Race for Education in order to raise money to purchase technology for our school. The goal was to purchase a document camera and projector for each classroom teacher. The use of these document cameras would reduce the amount of paper and eliminate the need for transparencies and overhead projectors used by classroom teachers for instruction. The students raised money based on the number of laps they completed on a race around a track around and through school property. The race raised enough money to meet our goal: over the course of the next year, a document camera was purchased for each classroom teacher. This decreased the amount of paper and overhead transparencies teachers were using during instruction because they could display a worksheet using the camera, instead of making a copy each time for every student.
As a school wide technology fundraiser, students in all grade levels participated in a Race for Education in order to raise money to purchase technology for our school. The goal was to purchase a document camera and projector for each classroom teacher. The use of these document cameras would reduce the amount of paper and eliminate the need for transparencies and overhead projectors used by classroom teachers for instruction. The students raised money based on the number of laps they completed on a race around a track around and through school property. The race raised enough money to meet our goal: over the course of the next year, a document camera was purchased for each classroom teacher. This decreased the amount of paper and overhead transparencies teachers were using during instruction because they could display a worksheet using the camera, instead of making a copy each time for every student.
Electronic Option
In an effort to conserve paper, Stoneleigh Elementary began to offer an electronic option for all school bulletins and PTA Gazettes in 2013. This year, the sign-up for the electronic option became paperless. This year parents visitied www.tinyurl.com/ses2012-2013 to fill out the form and are added to the electronic list. In addition, paper copies of all announcements are only sent home with carriers (youngest student in a family). Stoneleigh also makes an effort to conserve paper through the use of it school website: http://stoneleighes.ss3.sharpschool.com Parents can access forms, reminders and information on this site. Finally, Stoneleigh uses the Connect Ed telephone service to contact parents with reminders and announcements instead of sending paper reminders home.
In the Cafeteria
Stoneleigh's "green" lunch trays, 2010-2013
Recycled Lunch Trays
Our school cafeteria has even joined in on our green school efforts! Three years ago, our school was asked to pilot the use of lunch trays made from recycled paper fibers after students wrote to the cafeteria directors about the need to end the use of the Styrofoam trays. The students used the data from the trash free lunch trash collection to support their letters. These lunch trays were environmentally friendly, unlike the previous ones made from Styrofoam. The new trays are made in the USA from 100% recycled paper fibers. They are made from a renewable resource and are certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute, which means that they are 100% compostable in composting facilities. The change in lunch trays demonstrates to our students the efforts our school is making to help the environment, one tray at a time.
Our school cafeteria has even joined in on our green school efforts! Three years ago, our school was asked to pilot the use of lunch trays made from recycled paper fibers after students wrote to the cafeteria directors about the need to end the use of the Styrofoam trays. The students used the data from the trash free lunch trash collection to support their letters. These lunch trays were environmentally friendly, unlike the previous ones made from Styrofoam. The new trays are made in the USA from 100% recycled paper fibers. They are made from a renewable resource and are certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute, which means that they are 100% compostable in composting facilities. The change in lunch trays demonstrates to our students the efforts our school is making to help the environment, one tray at a time.
ENERGY CONSERVATION
Grades 1 and 2
A first grader turns off the lights when the class leaves the room! 2013
No Need for Homeroom Job: Light Manager/Electrician until our returned to the renovated school house this was an important job that lead to a chance in our building. One of the important changes supported by the Green School Committee and school administration was motion detect lights. No need for a light manager. Energy savings are happening all around.
Whole School
5th grade students graphed the results of Earth Hour. 2010
Earth Hour
Each year, since 2009, our school has participated in Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a program that challenges people from all around the world to conserve energy. Participants turn off electricity in their homes for one hour. To promote Earth Hour throughout the school and community, both students and teachers received reminder and participation sheets. Encouraging announcements to participate were also provided on the morning and afternoon announcements. Teachers were also emailed the Earth Hour website (EarthHourKids.org) with further information and activities to use at their discretion. After the Earth Hour event, fifth grade students collected the participation sheets and tallied and graphed the results for the school community to see.
Announcement:
(Student #1) Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock....Do you know what that ticking sound is? That is this year's Earth Hour getting closer! We are now less than 60 hours from Earth Hour- that's only 2 days away...this Saturday! Do you think you and your family can join the other 128 countries and hundreds of millions of people around the world that participated in Earth Hour last year?
(Student #2) Will you stop! Why are you doubting the students at Stoneleigh? You know they're green. You know how they know about how all the chemicals and factories and cars and trucks are hurting the environment and the only world we have. You know Stoneleigh students can do anything they put their minds to. So just tell them when Earth Hour is and get on with it!
(Student #1) Earth Hour is coming this Saturday night at 8:30. All you have to do it turn everything in your house off for 1 hour. So turn out those lights Stoneleigh!
(Student #2) You can do your small part to help save our animals, our environment, and our planet!
Computer Shut-Down
In the computer lab, everyday throughout the year, students are reminded to shut down laptops to conserve battery power and hold the charge longer. This is done rather than simply logging off or leaving computers in stand-by mode.
Each year, since 2009, our school has participated in Earth Hour. Earth Hour is a program that challenges people from all around the world to conserve energy. Participants turn off electricity in their homes for one hour. To promote Earth Hour throughout the school and community, both students and teachers received reminder and participation sheets. Encouraging announcements to participate were also provided on the morning and afternoon announcements. Teachers were also emailed the Earth Hour website (EarthHourKids.org) with further information and activities to use at their discretion. After the Earth Hour event, fifth grade students collected the participation sheets and tallied and graphed the results for the school community to see.
Announcement:
(Student #1) Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock....Do you know what that ticking sound is? That is this year's Earth Hour getting closer! We are now less than 60 hours from Earth Hour- that's only 2 days away...this Saturday! Do you think you and your family can join the other 128 countries and hundreds of millions of people around the world that participated in Earth Hour last year?
(Student #2) Will you stop! Why are you doubting the students at Stoneleigh? You know they're green. You know how they know about how all the chemicals and factories and cars and trucks are hurting the environment and the only world we have. You know Stoneleigh students can do anything they put their minds to. So just tell them when Earth Hour is and get on with it!
(Student #1) Earth Hour is coming this Saturday night at 8:30. All you have to do it turn everything in your house off for 1 hour. So turn out those lights Stoneleigh!
(Student #2) You can do your small part to help save our animals, our environment, and our planet!
Computer Shut-Down
In the computer lab, everyday throughout the year, students are reminded to shut down laptops to conserve battery power and hold the charge longer. This is done rather than simply logging off or leaving computers in stand-by mode.
http://www.screenfree.org/
Screen-Free Week 2011- 2016
Screen free week is a week to unplug, save energy, and celebrate all the wonderful opportunities for families to explore and enjoy the health benefits of some active outdoor time. Stoneleigh participated in this endeavor in the 2016-17 school year, and will participate again this year. We look forward to having as many students unplug as possible. Students are encouraged to spend time during spring break "screen-free". Turning off the television not only saves energy, but also gives families an opportunity to explore other outlets together.
Screen free week is a week to unplug, save energy, and celebrate all the wonderful opportunities for families to explore and enjoy the health benefits of some active outdoor time. Stoneleigh participated in this endeavor in the 2016-17 school year, and will participate again this year. We look forward to having as many students unplug as possible. Students are encouraged to spend time during spring break "screen-free". Turning off the television not only saves energy, but also gives families an opportunity to explore other outlets together.
HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Grade 2
A second grader's action plan, 2012
Primary Talent Development: Exploring the Environment
2nd grade students, each year, participate in a lesson that has them search for and identify an environmental problem in the schoolhouse. Using an organizer, the students develop their own action plans to solve the problems. They reflect on how to follow-up to ensure the problems have been solved. In some cases, the students wrote letters to the appropriate staff to inform them about their action plan to solve the problem they identified.
2nd grade students, each year, participate in a lesson that has them search for and identify an environmental problem in the schoolhouse. Using an organizer, the students develop their own action plans to solve the problems. They reflect on how to follow-up to ensure the problems have been solved. In some cases, the students wrote letters to the appropriate staff to inform them about their action plan to solve the problem they identified.
RESPONSIBLE TRANSPORTATION
Grade 5
Anti-idling hang-tag example, 2013 until present.
“Anti-Idling” Hang-tag Campaign
Grade 5 participated in a campaign to encourage bus drivers and parents to turn off their vehicles while waiting on school property to prevent the exhaust impacting the environment on school grounds. Students wrote and shared anti- idling messages on the announcements each afternoon during Anti-Idling Week. Included were facts pertaining to the vehicle idling and the environment. The winning fifth grade quote, ”Do your share to make clean air”, was included each day as well as fictitious superhero characters, Anti-Idling Girl and Anti- Idling Boy, as fifth graders dispelled some myths concerning idling from Monday to Friday on the afternoon announcements. Students then created hang-tags for bus and car windows to encourage drivers to turn off their vehicles to avoid idling in the school yard. 3 winners were chosen from the 5th grade entries. These hang-tags were given out for one week to drivers during dismissal.
Grade 5 participated in a campaign to encourage bus drivers and parents to turn off their vehicles while waiting on school property to prevent the exhaust impacting the environment on school grounds. Students wrote and shared anti- idling messages on the announcements each afternoon during Anti-Idling Week. Included were facts pertaining to the vehicle idling and the environment. The winning fifth grade quote, ”Do your share to make clean air”, was included each day as well as fictitious superhero characters, Anti-Idling Girl and Anti- Idling Boy, as fifth graders dispelled some myths concerning idling from Monday to Friday on the afternoon announcements. Students then created hang-tags for bus and car windows to encourage drivers to turn off their vehicles to avoid idling in the school yard. 3 winners were chosen from the 5th grade entries. These hang-tags were given out for one week to drivers during dismissal.
Whole School
Walking Wednesday students, 2010.
Walking Wednesday Club
Stoneleigh Elementary students participate in a responsible transportation program called, "Walking Wednesdays". A majority of the Stoneleigh Elementary School students live less than one mile from the school and therefore do not have bus service. Stoneleigh promotes the choice of walking or biking to school in lieu of driving. Stoneleigh's Walking Wednesday program is designed to promote the many benefits of walking, which include: decreasing the number of cars on the roads around the school makes a safer and less polluted environment for everyone; teaching that walking is a great way to exercise! Children arrive at school ready to learn, come home with less pent up energy, and develop a life long habit; helping children and adults build connections with their community to increase child safety and social growth. The Walking Wednesday Program received the "Best Family Involvement Award" from the Baltimore County PTA Council.
Walking Path
Stoneleigh paved a walking path for students to encourage the number of walkers at our school to increase. By creating this walking path, students were able to safely walk from the neighborhood,around the parking lot and designated "drop-off" areas, and right onto school property. This helped to reduce the number of students who were dropped off by car in the front of the school.
Stoneleigh Elementary students participate in a responsible transportation program called, "Walking Wednesdays". A majority of the Stoneleigh Elementary School students live less than one mile from the school and therefore do not have bus service. Stoneleigh promotes the choice of walking or biking to school in lieu of driving. Stoneleigh's Walking Wednesday program is designed to promote the many benefits of walking, which include: decreasing the number of cars on the roads around the school makes a safer and less polluted environment for everyone; teaching that walking is a great way to exercise! Children arrive at school ready to learn, come home with less pent up energy, and develop a life long habit; helping children and adults build connections with their community to increase child safety and social growth. The Walking Wednesday Program received the "Best Family Involvement Award" from the Baltimore County PTA Council.
Walking Path
Stoneleigh paved a walking path for students to encourage the number of walkers at our school to increase. By creating this walking path, students were able to safely walk from the neighborhood,around the parking lot and designated "drop-off" areas, and right onto school property. This helped to reduce the number of students who were dropped off by car in the front of the school.
HABITAT RESTORATION
Grade 2
Second grade students take part in a lesson during the Baltimore County STEM unit, Skeeters. This unit focuses on the life cycle of mosquitoes, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of these insects. Students learn about the damaging and helpful affects of having a mosquito friendly habitat. Part of the unit involves students taking a tour of the school yard to identify sources that would provide a "friendly" habitat for mosquito breeding. The students develop an action plan to fix these sources to make the school yard a mosquito "unfriendly" habitat. Some classes took this a step further, and went out into the school yard to make the suggested changes to fix the problem areas. Students enjoyed this lesson, especially because they were given the opportunity to take action in the environmental space they learn in!
Grade 3
Save the Bay Videos
In technology class, 3rd grade students conducted research and formulated a plan in order to create a public service announcement to save the Chesapeake Bay. Working collaboratively in groups, students did research on an issue that negatively impacts the bay and then came up with a solution. They use recycled materials to make props, and then filmed their announcement. The announcements were shared with other 3rd grade classes.
In technology class, 3rd grade students conducted research and formulated a plan in order to create a public service announcement to save the Chesapeake Bay. Working collaboratively in groups, students did research on an issue that negatively impacts the bay and then came up with a solution. They use recycled materials to make props, and then filmed their announcement. The announcements were shared with other 3rd grade classes.
Schoolyard Habitat: Bluebird Boxes
Two bluebird boxes were installed on the grounds of Stoneleigh Elementary School. The Bluebird boxes provide a nesting place for native Eastern Bluebirds. The Bluebird boxes help to provide a habitat for restoration on our school grounds as well as a structure for environmental learning. 5th grade students examine the bird boxes and investigate and observe the surrounding area for evidence of a successful habitat. The boxes provide a living laboratory and a living classroom which will encourage SES students to become life-long learners who value conservation. This will also help them to develop a stronger appreciation of nature. Mr. Imirie, a fifth grade teacher, attended the Schoolyard Habitat Workshop on Bluebird Boxes. The workshop was provided by Baltimore County Public Schools in conjunction with the Irvine Nature Center.