Sustain DCSD
Special Edition - DCSD Office of Sustainability Changes
After months of being "under construction", the DCSD Office of Sustainability is happy to announce new staff members!
Beth Church - DCSD Sustainability Coordinator
We are so excited to announce Beth Church as our new full-time Sustainability Coordinator. Beth comes to us from Sedalia Elementary where she successfully implemented many sustainability initiatives including a school garden, composting, a chicken coop, energy reduction initiatives and a school-wide recycling program. Beth led Sedalia Elementary to become a US Green Ribbon School in 2017 and had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC to receive this prestigious award on behalf of her school.
Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. If you are looking for Beth on the weekend, you will have to go outside! She enjoys hiking, camping, mountain biking, boating and doing anything outdoors. Just what you would expect from a true Colorado native! Beth loves animals and hosts her own personal zoo at home with two dogs, three cats, a frog and fish. We quizzed Beth on her views of Environmental Sutainability today, and here are her answers:
Q: In your opinion, what is the most pressing environmental issue we face?
A: Waste - food waste, recycling, e-waste and overall throwing away our valuable resources.
Q: What is your favorite animal species?
A: Humans! We as humans have the capability to adapt to many different environments and are intelligent enough to see what needs to change to sustain life.
Q: What are you most excited about in your new position?
A: To see sustainability in the district expand as we integrate sustainability initiatives into science and other content areas. I am also excited to see the impact that our efforts make for future generations.
Beth can be reached at beth.church@dcsdk12.org
Heather Berry - DCSD Sustainability Learning Specialist
Heather Berry will be working part-time for the Office of Sustainability and part-time at Highlands Ranch High School where she teaches AP Environmental Science and leads the HRHS Eco-Warriors Green Team. Heather's specialty is innovation through project based learning which has led to installations of a green wall, tower garden, outdoor classroom, solar charging station and more. In 2016 Heather received the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Education from the EPA & US White House Council and was the DCSD 2017 Secondary Apple Award winner.
Outside of school Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves to travel and has visited 4 continents in the last two years! Also a Colorado native, Heather enjoys spending time outside hiking, skiing, biking and finding any adventure she can. Heather's personal zoo includes a dog, two guinea pigs, three frogs and a tortoise. We quizzed Heather on her views of environmental sustainability today and here are her answers:
Q: In your opinion, what is the most pressing environmental issue we face today?
A: Plastic pollution. We are getting to the point where plastics can be found everywhere we look - even in our drinking water. This affects human health and severely affects many species on Earth.
Q: What is your favorite species?
A: The Beluga Whale - besides being cute, they communicate by making over 500 different noises with their blowhole!
Q: What are you most excited about with your new position?
A: Working with the many amazing educators we have and seeing how our department can help support and expand sustainability initiatives district wide.
You can reach Heather at heather.berry@dcsdk12.org
Due to changes in the contamination percentages allowed for recycled materials, Waste Management and many recycling providers are forced to charge fees for recycling contaminated materials. To date, 4 DCSD schools have received violation warnings in the last month. Fees will be charged at $15/yard to schools who have recycling contamination. To avoid warnings and fees, please follow these guidelines with your school recycling:
- Recycle all empty bottles, cans, paper and cardboard
- Keep food and liquids out of your recycling
- Keep plastic bags out of your recycling
We will notify all schools of any warnings or fees. Questions? Email Sustainability@dcsdk12.org
Save the Date! Events for the 2018/2019 School Year
Annual Green U Conference
January 18, 2019
Come network and learn with your fellow sustainability champions at our annual conference. There will be presentations, networking time and fun activities.
Earth Day Extravaganza!
Earth Week, April 2019 - date TBD
Come celebrate student and staff successes at our annual Earth Day event with our soon-to-be introduced UpCycle Challenge.
Sustainability Learning Communities
Various Dates - info coming soon!
This fall we will be setting up a series of network opportunities where you can work with other sustainability champions at schools throughout the district. Details to come soon!
Steering Committee Commited Increasing Committment to Sustainability
The DCSD Steering Committee is a dedicated group of educators from elementary, middle and high schools who determine the path and initiatives of sustainability at DCSD. The committee wants to hear your voices as we plan for the upcoming year. Please complete the survey coming to your email box on September 21st to help us celebrate your successes and to let us know how The Office of Sustainability can best support sustainability efforts at your school.
Thank you from your Sustainability Steering Committee:
Chantel Estes - Roxborough Elementary School
Jenny L. Henry - Eldorado Elementary School
Autumn Rosengren - Sagewood Middle School
Lori Schwendeman - Mountain Vista High School
Matthew VanDeusen - DCSD Operations & Maintenance
Beth Church - Sustainability Coordinator
Heather Berry - Sustainability Learning Specialist
Sustainability at Douglas County School District
Email: sustainability@dcsdk12.org
Website: www.dcsdk12.org/sustainability
Location: 2806 U.S. Hwy 85, Castle Rock, CO, United States
Phone: 720-663-1206
Facebook: facebook.com/sustainDCSDK12
Twitter: @sustainDCSD