Happy Earth Day! Welcome Matthew Almes And Ray Franklin Environmental Issues Program Anne Arundel County Public Schools Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education Green School Application Requirements

The Maryland Green Schools Program A comprehensive, integrated approach to authentic learning. Supports state efforts to meet requirements such as The Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement The Baltimore Watershed Agreement Environmental Literacy Requirements To date, 20% (425) of all Maryland schools have certified

MAEOE Green Schools Program Specifics The MD Green School Application Pre K-12 summarizes the school’s actions over 2 years. It provides documentation of these activities.

Program Philosophies Whole School Culture Shift Student Driven/ Student Involved (BMPs) Hands-On Inquiry Non-Prescriptive Framework

Increased Test Scores Nation-wide improvement in standardized test scores when the environment is used as an integrating context within the curriculum. Studies in Maryland affirm the national findings (Dr. Sarah Haines-Towson) The latest, from 2010, tracks test results at individual schools before and after certification as a Maryland Green School, and shows a strong correlation between the Maryland Green School process and improved academic performance.

2013 Data – Schools’ Actions Trees and shrubs planted: 1758 Rain gardens planted: 14 Green Roofs : 7 Energy $ savings: $580,000 Pounds of bottles, cans, paper and electronics recycled: 65,676 lbs Schoolyard habitat created: 10,862 sq. ft. Riparian buffer installed: 2,358 sq. ft. Water quality testing projects: 62 Storm drains painted: 100

1. Curriculum and Instruction Environment as a Context for Learning Professional Development Celebration 2. Student Driven Best Management Practices (Choose 4): Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention Energy Conservation Solid Waste Reduction Habitat Restoration Outdoor Structures for Learning Responsible Transportation Healthy School Environment 3. School and Community Partnerships: School is active in the community. Community is active in the school. 1) INFORMATION 2) DOCUMENTATION

1.a. Environment as a Context for Learning All Grades involved in environmental education GradeEnvironmental Instruction 6Art recycled project, English poetry contest 7Science Fair Projects related to global warming 8Science lessons on sustainability

Ideas for organization and documentation: Documentation Student work (or photos/copies of student work) Photos of bulletin boards Photos of students engaged in environmental education Student reflections Lesson plans (weaker – be sure you prove you taught the lesson! Needs to be accompanied with above examples of student work) Assessments eam.weebly.com/cur riculum-and- instruction.html

1.c. Professional Development Teacher Training ● Workshops● Field Experience ● Networking ● MAEOE Professional Development Calendar MAEOE Professional Development Calendar Three components: 1)All of the staff is aware of the Green School Application Process 2)The Majority of the Staff are engaged in environmental education 3)10% of the staff have received Professional Development learning.html

Ideas for documentation: Agendas Sign-In Sheets confirmations/ registrations/ correspondence Notes DON’T FORGET DATES!

1.d. Celebration  School wide appreciation of the efforts and achievements of teachers and students  Public events that involve the school and community  The school shows off its sustainable activities com/curriculum-and- instruction.html

Celebration “The reviewers are looking for evidence that the whole school community is aware that the school continuing to strive to be a Maryland Green School, and celebrations of activities involving many students.”

2) Best Management Practices Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention Energy Conservation Solid Waste Reduction Habitat Restoration Outdoor Structures for Learning Responsible Transportation Healthy School Environment Choose 4 of 7- 2 in each category

Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention Must have student involvement! Students post “Bay starts here” stickers on faucets Students conduct water quality monitoring of school stream Rain gardens and other erosion control measures Storm drain stenciling Parking lot curb cuts Students install, paint and/or use rain barrels

Energy Conservation Student-made reminders to turn off the lights and devices Student energy monitoring Calculating the school’s carbon footprint, and actions to reduce that footprint Student-conducted energy audits Students promote actions to reduce phantom energy loss Students plant trees to shade the building

Solid Waste Reduction Students organize a recycling drive for ink cartridges, old cell phones, etc Students help set up outdoor composting Students plan an indoor or outdoor clean-up day Students create labels for recycling stations Students petition for no- waste lunch days Reduce-Reuse- Recycle

Habitat Restoration Students plant native trees/shrubs/perennials Students construct bird, butterfly, or bat boxes Students help remove turf or impervious paving Students construct brush piles or saving snags ** Invite local business/watershed organizations to join in and help!

Structures for Environmental Learning Students build or paint bird, bat, and butterfly boxes Students plan Outdoor Classrooms: Built-in or moveable Students create native maryland tree ID tags Students create outdoor art: sculptures, murals Students help design “Green Building” components Students desing boardwalks Students plan nature trails

Responsible Transportation Students plan carpooling programs Students create signage for no- idle zones Students analyze school transportation issues /carbon footprint using a school survey Students routinely go on walking field trips or use public transportation

Healthy School Environment Test school drinking water or air quality Students promote the use of indoor plants Students create or promote environmentally friendly products Students participate in healthy local foods programs Students host a 5K run to encourage exercise and activity while incorporating the teaching of environmental facts and action.

BMPs “Reviewers want to see evidence of student involvement in the activities (not all done by a select group).” “At least two ongoing actions in each area.” “Documentation can be in videos of student announcements, pictures, scripts, charts of activities and number of students participating.”

Required: A Minimum of 4 Best Management Practices. 2 in each. Data Quantification in application.

3) a. Community Partnerships Parents and PTA ● MD Green Centers ● MD Green Leaders ● Forestry Board ● Chesapeake Bay Trust ● MD DNR, MDE, MSDE ● Colleges and Universities ● UMD Cooperative Extension ● Local garden clubs ● Local businesses and organizations ● Federal agencies  How are they involved? When did they visit? What did they do?  Example: Waste Management Agency joint clean-up day

Examples A campus cleanup day, advertised to the community, with the local waste management agency Bringing in a county recycling coordinator to speak to the staff Working with a Master Gardener to design a habitat Working with MD DNR on a grant to install a stream buffer

We need you to: Help Keep Bates Green!!