SUSTAIN DCSD
Countdown to Green U
Seven DCSD Schools participated in a 7-week energy reduction competition called ReNew Our Schools. This is a youth engagement program in which schools from across the U.S. participated in a competition to reduce energy consumption, complete energy-focused curriculum, and actions designed to enhance energy awareness.
We are proud to announce that Ponderosa High School is one of the winners of this competition!
PHS students collaborated to find ways to educate their fellow students and PHS staff on how to reduce energy at school. They conducted energy experiments, calculated heat loss, created energy awareness campaigns and worked together as a whole school to reduce electricity. Ponderosa received a $2,500 grant to fund energy savings in their school.
Way to save energy Ponderosa Mustangs!! Keep up the great energy conservation!
The next energy contest starts at the beginning of March. Good luck to Legend High School who will be competing in the spring competition.
Last chance for mini-grant applications!
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
February 27th - Teaching Controversies in Science - Focus on Climate Change and the 2020 CAS
- How to address controversy related to climate change
- Where to find authentic data to support the curriculum
- Lesson specific activities for each grade level
March 26th: GREEN U ON THE GO! Douglas County Conservation District
A visit to CALF ranch
Benefits of native plants in landscaping
Examples of projects completed at DCSD schools
Lesson specific activities tied to the 2020 Colorado Academic Standards
Our hearts are breaking as we hear about the devastation left behind from the wildfire outbreak in Australia. While it is difficult to wrap our heads around the numbers - over a billion estimated animals lost, over 15 million acres and more than 30 human lives - it is important to address issues like this with our students. They likely have many questions and have heard information that they would like to share. Ideas on how to address this and other events include:
- Watching and discussion age appropriate news coverage like CNN 10
- Discuss current events - this is a great way to hear what the kids are thinking and address misconceptions they may have
- Read a book about Australia and then discuss how fire may change what they see
- Focus on ways to help or positive stories. We've included a few below for you.
- Discuss the causes - why is the fire season so bad this year? When is it supposed to end? Younger children may think that these events will continue indefinitely.
It is important to always preview and photos/news stories/ articles, etc. Some of the images found through a simple Google search can be quite disturbing to children and adults alike.
Class project - easy sew Joey Pouches
We can help with supply and shipping costs - fill out a mini-grant request form and we can purchase and deliver supplies to you.
Meet Patsy
Regrowth and Recovery
Sharp Electronics offers our customers a zero-waste toner recycling for all Sharp consumables, including: cartridges, bottles, toner collection containers and drum units.
STOP, DROP, RECYCLE RECYCLING PROGRAM
Mark your calendars - Earth Day Extravaganza April 22!
DCSD OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Coordinator
Heather Berry
Sustainability Learning Specialist
Email: sustainability@dcsdk12.org
Website: https://www.dcsdk12.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=220484&pageId=5755442
Location: 2806 U.S. 85, Castle Rock, CO, USA
Phone: 303-387-0451
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sustain.dcsd