Sustain DCSD
March 2016
Congrats to RXI: REPREVE Recycling Challenge Winner!
Check out this video: http://legacy.9news.com/story/news/education/2016/01/26/repreve-recycle-challenge-denver-kids/79341108/
District Community Garden Program Debuts at Cougar Run Elementary
“I like to think we are bringing back the Victory Garden mindset of the 1940’s to our district.” says Danielle Petersen . “We have a great line-up of workshops from hydroponics, building a hoop house, vermicomposting, herbs, canning, and more to come in 2016! Research proves that community gardens can contribute to a significant increase in property values. It is exciting to consider the potential the district program might bring to our extended community. Cougar Run Elementary has gathered a tremendous amount of knowledge since the inception of its garden seven years ago and it is important to share this knowledge with our community. We hope to include students, parents, families, and everyone else in the school community. A complete list of workshops and descriptions to be announced soon.
Still time to register for the Eco-Schools USA Workshop!
- Free training, online program, and resources!
- Open to educators, school staff, parents, and volunteers!
- Stipends available to the first 5 teachers that sign up and complete the workshop! Note: Attendees who have not already received a stipend will be given priority.
- Seed Grants available to schools that participate!
- This is an introductory workshop for the program. If you have participated in Eco-Schools USA in the past this will be review, though you are always welcome to join for a refresher.
- Learn more at www.eco-schoolsusa.org.
RSVP at the bottom of this email!
Eco-Schools USA helps U.S. K-12 public, private and charter schools green the school building, grounds, educational programming and student experience. Eco-Schools USA is part of the acclaimed international Eco-Schools program. Created in 1994, Eco-Schools is now in 50 countries reaching 37,000 K-12 schools, over 600,000 educators, and more than 9.5 million students.
Why be part of Eco-Schools USA?
- Follow a step-by-step framework to implement sustainable practices
- Choose your own pathways to success
- Support student engagement and academic achievement
- Foster environmental stewardship
- Share ideas and connect with other schools
- Earn awards to mark your achievements
Benefits of the Eco-Schools Program:
- Improves academic performance, especially in science and math
- Leads to financial savings for schools
- Decreases the school's carbon footprint through practical solutions that reduce energy and water consumption
- Reduces school waste and conserves natural resources
- Encourages student environmental awareness and stewardship
- Increases parental involvement
- Helps students and teachers develop stronger relationships with their communities
- Develops national and international links
Thanks to Buffalo Ridge Elementary for hosting!
Thursday, Mar 10, 2016, 04:30 PM
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School, Shoreham Drive, Castle Pines, CO, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
K-12 Student Artwork Sought for Recycling Poster Contest
The Colorado Association for Recycling (CAFR) announces its 10th annual Recycling Poster Contest. The contest is open to all K-12 students and youth organization members in Colorado.
The contest showcases students’ artistic talent and commitment to the environment. One grand prize winner receives a $100 gift card. Winning artwork will serve as Colorado’s 2016 America Recycles Day promotional piece and be distributed throughout the state. Plus, each school with winning entries will receive recycling educational materials and a free one-year teacher membership to RAFT Colorado.
Go here for more info: http://www.cafr.org/events/posterContest.php. Deadline for entry is April 29, 2016.
USDA Hiring Three Farm to School Regional Leads!
Must love local food, child nutrition, and regional travel
Join a dynamic and effective team! The USDA is looking for Farm to School Regional Leads in the following USDA Food and Nutrition Service locations: Mountain Plains Regional Office (Denver, CO), Southwest Regional Office (Dallas, TX), and Western Regional Office (San Francisco, CA).
This is an opportunity to:
- Help implement the USDA Farm to School Program, including grants, training and technical assistance, and actively participate in driving the program’s growth and evolution;
- Provide on the ground training, technical assistance, and support to a wide variety of farm to school stakeholders and be held accountable for increasing the availability of local foods in schools;
- Play a key role in identifying training and technical assistance gaps in the farm to school community and fill those gaps by fine tuning existing resource materials and/or creating new program offerings; and
- Be a resident expert on key local and regional procurement issues.
Applications are due March 10.
More information can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/431033800/
Website: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/431033800/
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
LeeAnn Westfall
- Manage utility budget
- Manage energy performance contracting
- Manage fuel reduction (yellow & white fleet)
- Developing a district-wide sustainability management plan
- Oversee utility contracts
- Being generally awesome!
Courtney Kuntz
Courtney is a service-learning and green schools advocate. Call her for things such as:
- Rocking out school presentations on recycling, composting, energy, etc.
- Consulting for your sustainability project or course
- Red Apple Recycling, Crayola ColorCycle, TerraCycle
- Grants and fundraising opportunities
- Eco-schools USA, Incentive Program, Gardens
To Be Determined
- We are currently in the hiring process for our energy analyst.