Going Green in Schools

There has been a lot of "green action" going on in Charles County Public Schools.  Since the County started implementing single stream recycling, recycling dumpsters that are at each school can now be used for more than just the cardboard and paper collection.  We can now recycle glass, aluminum cans, paper, plastic and cardboard on each school site.  We were also able to get a recycling dumpster at NCEEC, so we no longer need to make weekly trips to the Pisgah transfer station.  The use of these dumpsters will greatly reduce the volume of materials going to the landfill.  The recycling efforts have been embraced by students and staff in many schools. At one elementary school, the students have recycling contests by grade level.  The materials are collected, counted and graphed. Students have taken the lead!

Photo Left to Right: Jason Walent, Sarah Geiger, Erin Beauvais, & Ryan Burton.

Another exciting event will happened on June 2nd.  Arthur Middleton Elementary School and Milton Somers Middle School will be awarded Green School status.  Begun in 1999 by the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators, these awards take a tremendous amount of effort to qualify and apply for.  Green Schools are recognized as those that use the school site and instruction to teach students about environmental challenges facing Marylanders. They model environmental best management practices in building and landscape design, maintenance and operations. These schools  work with community partners to enhance environmental learning, as well as design and implement projects that result in a healthier environment. Both schools worked very hard and join Piccowaxen Middle School as Green Schools of Charles County.  We look forward to more Green Schools in our county each year!   

School Year 2008-2009

             What a busy and productive year it's been. By June, we'll have had over 1,100 5th grade students and 300 adult chaperones on site for the environmental education overnight trip.  We've also hosted high school A.P. Biology students from North Point, middle school students from Milton Somers Environment Club, Life Skills students from Diggs Elementary School, Russian educators on an exchange trip and several scout troops.  Our outreach program has kept us busy, as well.  Over 1,100 students were involved in these programs.  Topics include Our Watershed, Owl Ecology and Bird Clues. One goal we have for the next several years is to increase our selection of outreach programs available to schools.

              Special thanks to everyone who assisted in our efforts this year.  These volunteers may help with our raptor care and outreach, building materials for programs, helping with technology plans, gardening assistance, and/or monetary donations.  Many thanks to all, including: Rick Posey and Mary Mosher, Sara Young, Chris Krebeck, Steve Boyle, Natasha and David Miller, Ron Talley, Eileen Chernomas, Ron Van Tassel, Pam Van Tassel, Alfred Grinder, Judy Gardener, Master Gardeners of Charles County and the Southern Maryland Astronomical Society.  Many thanks to all of our community for the generous support we receive.

 NCEEC has made the news! 

At the end of September, a reporter and photographer from the Maryland Independent stopped by while Ms. Rhodes' fifth grade class from Mitchell Elementary School was on site for their overnight field trip.  Joany Nazdin tagged along with Ms. Rhodes' class and learned about the programs at NCEEC first hand.  Her article with pictures can be found at the following link: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/10082008/indycov173708_32164.shtml