SUSTAIN DCSD
Rocketbooks!
For the second year, schools in Douglas County School District began a 7 week nationwide competition called "Renew Our Schools" where they will reduce energy, complete energy focused curriculum, and actions designed to enhance energy awareness.
Schools reduce their electricity use by behavioral means such as: turning off lights, removing unnecessary appliances, setting computers to power save mode, and much more. Each school had an eGauge installed that provides real-time energy usage data which helps students see what peak energy use times are and allows students to develop energy reduction plans.
Good Luck to our 7 participating schools!
Sedalia Elementary, Sagewood Middle School, Renaissance Magnet School, Legend High School, Ponderosa High School, Highlands Ranch High School, Mountain Vista High School
Previous Renew Our Schools Competitors: Sierra Middle School, Cresthill Middle School, Pine Lane Elementary, Buffalo Ridge Elementary, Castle View High School
As technology use increases, so does our per person paper consumption. How you can help!
In 2018, global paper use exceeded 400,000,000 tons, with the US, China and Japan leading consumption. Although approximately 50% of paper is recycled, over 80,000 trees are cut down each day to provide paper! While many of these trees are fast growing trees, there is significant energy and transportation costs involved with harvesting, processing and distributing paper.
Benefits of reducing paper use include:
- Saves trees
- Decreases fossil fuel use & greenhouse gas emissions
- Decreases waste in landfills
- Teaches students the importance of conservation
Sources: The Environmental Paper Network, US Environmental Protection Agency, Global Forest Resource Assessment
Rocketbook
Rocketbook is a re-usable notebook and so much more! Here's how it works:
1. Write your class notes, meeting notes, math problems, essays, etc. in your notebook using erasable pens or markers
2. Scan with a free Rocketbook App using your smart phone or tablet
3. Set your destination - scans can be sent to email, Google Drive, Google Classroom
4. Erase your notebook using water and a micro-cloth
Other products offered through Rocketbook:
Free, downloadable pdfs - great for copying assignments on , put them in a non-glare sleeve and you can use them over and over again!
Beacons - simply stick 4 beacons on your whiteboard and students can scan your notes into their email or Google Drive!
Are you interested in trying out Rocketbook in your classroom? Click here to fill out a request form to join our Rocketbook Focus group and receive a sample Rocketbook!
Here are some notes and examples from a pilot classroom at Highlands Ranch High School. Students purchased the Rocketbook as part of their class supplies (approximately $30 on www.getrocketbook.com.) Educator resources and discounts are available here: Rocketbook Educator Resource Page
Lab on free Rocketbook paper
Student notes
Class notes using Beacons
STOP, DROP, RECYCLE RECYCLING PROGRAM
NOVEMBER 17TH 5:00-7:00 WATER CONSERVATION EDUCATION
- Lessons ready for classroom implementation
- Field trip and guest speaker resources
- Professional development hours
- Networking opportunities
- Water conservation swag!
InspirEd link for registration will be shared soon!
The DCSD Office of Sustainability is happy to offer mini-grant opportunities to increase sustainability initiatives at your school. The mini-grants will be awarded in the form of supplies requested, up to $400 per request. Schools may submit more than one grant request.
Deadline: March 1, 2020 - we will review and fund accepted grant requests as they come in. If funds run out, grant requests will be rolled to the following school year. It is recommended that you request grant funds as soon as you can, even if you will not need delivery of items until later in the school year.
Criteria: Project goals should increase or enhance sustainability for our schools/students. Mini-grants that will directly affect student learning and are integrated into the curriculum will receive priority.
Grant amounts: Requests may be for any dollar amount up to $400 used to purchase materials for your sustainability project. Schools will receive materials requested.
To apply, fill this Google Form: Sustainability Mini-Grant Application
DCSD OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Coordinator
Heather Berry
Sustainability Learning Specialist
Email: sustainability@dcsdk12.org
Website: dcsdk12.org/sustainability
Location: 2806 U.S. 85, Castle Rock, CO, USA
Phone: 303-387-0451
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sustain.dcsd