Systemic Sustainability
1.1. Environmental Issue Instruction
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE (GRADES 6-8)
Students will learn the composition and molecular structure of three greenhouse gas molecules. They will explore of how greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere and the resulting contribution to global climate change. Students completed a lab on making molecules using gumdrops/gummy bears and toothpicks as materials. They will create three greenhouse gas molecules: Water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane. They then had to answer the following three questions:
Students will learn the composition and molecular structure of three greenhouse gas molecules. They will explore of how greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere and the resulting contribution to global climate change. Students completed a lab on making molecules using gumdrops/gummy bears and toothpicks as materials. They will create three greenhouse gas molecules: Water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane. They then had to answer the following three questions:
- How do greenhouse gases make the Earth warmer?
- What things in your home produce or contribute to producing greenhouse gases?
- What are ways of reducing greenhouse gases in our atmosphere?
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HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE (GRADES 9-12)
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High School Science students were given the challenge of finding ways that we at Choices Academy could reduce our carbon footprint. Students began by brainstorming ways that we use energy, water and how much waste was generated at Choices. Students then used this information to create major campaigns that would encourage students and staff to save energy, conserve resources or reduce waste.
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ALGEBRA 1 / GEOMETRY
Recycling…It’s a Math thing too! In Mr. Smith's Algebra 1 and Geometry classes, students were asked to determine the approximate weight of recycled goods that the students collect through out the school. After students determined how to weigh and how much the recyclables weighed, students had to answer questions such as:
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GOVERNMENT (10TH GRADE)
Students in Government classes evaluated the effect on shaping environmental policy, such as agriculture, pollution, nuclear power, or alternative energy sources. This was a part of the Public Policy Unit and it allowed students to see how the United States' approach to legislation for the environment has changed over time.
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1.2. Professional Development
1.2.1. All staff is aware of the Green School application process
On December 10, 2018, The entire Choices Academy staff attended a presentation on the Maryland Green Schools Program provided by Green Leader, Gerrie Wiersberg. The green school presentation explained the requirements that Choices Academy would need to complete in order to become a Green School. This presentation was one of the topics at a faculty meeting. The presentation that Gerrie Wiersberg gave is the file below.
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choices_-green_school_ppt.pptx |
1.2.2. At least 10% of teachers have participated in EE Professional Development
Between June 25-29, 2018, Ms. Stein (High School History Teacher) and Mr. Hatton (High School Science Teacher) attended a professional development opportunity sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Ms. Stein and Mr. Hatton investigated along the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers and Tylerton, the smallest town on Smith Island. They came back to Choices Academy equipped with ways that they can use local environmental resources as a context for learning in the classroom. Attached below are the syllabus for the professional development session and a memo from Dr. Brian Raygor regarding Ms. Stein and Mr. Hatton's participation.
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1.3. School-Wide Environmental Behavior Changes
Choices Academy staff has made efforts to cut down on paper usage by utilizing online tools like OneNote, Google Forms, and email instead of paper copies. Also, instead of sending papers/flyers home to keep parents aware, the school uses phone calls, email, and Remind (an electronic messaging app) to communicate with parents. However, paper copies are still necessary so the default setting is for papers to be printed double sided. Also, we keep recycling bins in the copy room and the classroom so that papers can be recycled when no longer needed. Also, Ms. Tiya in the front office assures that each toner and ink cartridge is set aside so that we can mail them off to cartridge recycling centers!
Choices Academy staff does their best to conserve energy around the school. Throughout the school day, there are at least four rooms in the school that practice day-lighting. Staff keep lights off in the room in order to conserve energy and help with temperature control in the room. In addition, the Online Learning Lab teacher, Ms. Chalmers, asked that six of the lightbulbs in her classroom be removed permanently to conserve energy.
1.3.2. Systemic Partnership
Within the Wicomico County Public School System, Choices Academy has had a lot of support in becoming a green school. Key supporters of the Choices Academy include:
- Don Brady, Director of Secondary Education
- Paul Butler, Director of Communications
- Bob Souza, Director of Facilities, Maintenance & Operations & Energy
- Brian Raygor, Supervisor of Science
- Gerrie Wiersberg, Science Coach and Green Leader
1.4. Celebration
On June 8, 2019, The staff and students at the Choices Academy held a "Green School Kickoff" Celebration. Visitors included Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin, Rev. Martin Hutchinson (Salisbury Secretary of Community Gardens), City Councilman Jack Heath, and various other Wicomico County Board of Education Members. At the celebration, Dr. Donna Hanlin spoke about the steps that Choices Academy has been working on to become a green school and how it aligns with her vision for Wicomico County Public Schools. Rev. Martin Hutchinson, Salisbury Secretary of Community Gardens, spoke about the importance of growing food and our plans for the Choices Academy Community Garden. Then we unveiled the Choices Academy Community Garden sign and mottos. Lastly, our students participated in activities like bat box building, painting bird houses, painting pots for the take-home herb gardens and a Go Green! selfie station.