Systemic Sustainability

Environmental Curriculum and Instruction

1.1 Activities

Elementary & middle schools must provide one example of outdoor/environmental instruction per grade level.

High schools must provide one example of outdoor/environmental instruction in four subjects (which may include multiple different differents sciences).

Grades
Pre-K
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
Lesson / Activity
Recycling Materials to Make Art
Teacher Name
Stephanie Walsh
Students Count
24
Activity Description

The teacher read the students the book Rain Fish written by Lois Ehlert. After reading, the teacher facilitated a discussion with the students on the importance of reusing materials. The class discussed everyday materials that could be reused in order to eliminate waste. After the discussion, the teacher provided the students with scraps of paper, used brown paper bags, pieces of used foil, and used gift bags. The students were then instructed to use the materials to create a piece of art.

Images
Grades
Grade 2
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 22 Dec 2022
Lesson / Activity
Energy Conservation
Teacher Name
Mrs. Sisson, Mrs. Hollen, and Ms. McDaniel
Students Count
73
Activity Description

Classroom teachers introduced the Green School initiative with their students by first showing "The Lorax" and following up with a discussion about ways they could help the Earth. The students then made posters to share how they can care for the Earth.

The second-grade teachers also conducted a lesson on energy conservation. The classes discussed the importance of conserving energy and the ways in which they could do so. Each second grader made a light switch plate. The plates have reminders written on them. They were placed around light switches throughout the building to encourage others to power down lights when they are not in use.

Images
Other Files

2nd Grade Green School Project_ Turn of the lights! (857.97 KB)

This is a copy of the Google slides the second-grade teachers used to introduce a lesson on energy conservation.

Grades
Grade 1
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 7 Feb 2023
Lesson / Activity
Butterflies and Other Pollinators
Teacher Name
Ms. Clewer, Mrs. Duckett, Mrs. Malone, and Ms. Schaeffer
Students Count
85
Activity Description

The Maryland Extension presented a lesson to all first-grade classes. The representatives from the Extension taught the students about monarch habitats and explained which plants would need to be planted in our monarch waystation. The visitors shared photos and seed samples with the classes. The students learned information about butterflies, and how they eat and pollinate. The students participated in a dress-up demonstration and in a hands-on butterfly tagging activity. They discussed migration and the importance it plays in pollination. The students learned that fruits, vegetables, and nuts require pollination.

Images
Grades
Kindergarten
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Fri, 13 Jan 2023
Lesson / Activity
Fair Hill Nature Center Visit
Teacher Name
Mrs. Dunn, Mr. Hulbert, and Mrs. Strickland
Students Count
64
Activity Description

Fair Hill Nature Center visited all three kindergarten classes at Bay View Elementary. During the lesson, the students learned about hibernation, migration, and adaptations to the environment during the change of the seasons. Kindergarten also discussed animals in their habitats and sorted pictures placing animals in their correct habitats. The children were introduced to Bernate, Fairhill's turtle, and learned what he needs to survive.

Images
Grades
Grade 3
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 8 Feb 2023
Lesson / Activity
Grounds Clean Up
Teacher Name
Mrs. Nixon and Mrs. Crowe
Students Count
55
Activity Description

The students in third grade learned about the importance of keeping the environment clean. Trash can make its way into streams and animals can be harmed by trash as well. Third-grade students saw a need to clean up the outdoor play area around the school. They worked as a class to pick up trash and debris to reduce litter and ensure a safe place to play.

Images
Grades
Grade 4
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Fri, 24 Feb 2023
Lesson / Activity
Stream Restoration Activity
Teacher Name
Mrs. Crowley, Mrs. Fasois, and Mr. Wallace
Students Count
69
Activity Description

The Cecil County Department of Public Works Stormwater Management Division visited the fourth-grade classes at Bay View Elementary. The visitors explained that Bay View is part of a watershed. The students learned about how the water in the area drains to the Chesapeake Bay and how important it is to ensure that pollutants do not drain into the bay. The Department of Public Works is currently installing a sand filter behind Bay View Elementary. The students learned about erosion and how the stream behind the school has been affected by erosion. The Public Works division taught the students about plants that are native to our area and planned with the students the appropriate flowers to plant in the school's rain garden to encourage pollination and prevent erosion.

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Grades
Grade 5
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 25 Oct 2022
Lesson / Activity
Observing Our Environment
Teacher Name
Mrs. Stephenson and Mrs. Kulp
Students Count
58
Activity Description

Fifth grade learned about the Chesapeake Bay watershed and had a meaningful watershed educational experience. Students first took a walking tour around the outside environment of the school and wrote about observable phenomena. From that observable phenomenon, students created a driving question to target their action plan. The students' driving question was, "how do we fix the bare spots throughout the schoolyard?" Bare spots are places where vegetation no longer exists in the soil, with the outcome being that stormwater can no longer soak into the land. This causes the runoff water to go into storm drains or into streams. The fifth graders researched the best ways to solve this problem and will be constructing a plan to fix the bare spots the week of March 13th.

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1.2 Green School Awareness

1.2.1 School Wide Awareness - Staff

Demonstrate that all school personnel are aware of the Green School status of your school and the application process.

Summary Description

At Bay View Elementary, we have a Green School committee that meets once per month. After each meeting, the committee shares its goals and progress with the entire staff. The Green School committee also planned and prepared a presentation for teachers to share with their students. This presentation explained what a Green School involves and emphasized ways students and teachers can support school-wide efforts to maintain our Green School status.

Date
Thu, 25 Aug 2022
Staff in Attendance
71
Meeting Description

At the opening of the school year on August 25, 2022, the entire staff was made aware that we would be seeking Green School Re-Certification. We discussed what that meant and encouraged staff members to join the committee. Our Green School Committee met and reported monthly to the staff sharing the application progress as well as what activities were happening around the school.

Images
Other Files

Green Team Agenda - 9.14.22 (147.6 KB)

This is the September Green School Committee meeting agenda.

Green Team Agenda - 10.12.22 (150.24 KB)

This is the October Green School Committee agenda.

Green Team Agenda - 11.9.22 (158.29 KB)

This is the November Green School Committee agenda.

Green Team Agenda - 12.14.22 (165.3 KB)

This is the December Green School Committee agenda.

Green Team Agenda - 1.25.23 (159.53 KB)

This is the January Green School Committee agenda.

1.2.2 School-Wide Celebration

Demonstrate how your school celebrates beig a Green School by hosting a school-wide environmentally-focused event open to all students.

Summary Description

We held a schoolwide celebration in December 2022 to make the school aware of the Green School process and we will continue to do so annually.

Grades
Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5
Other Grades
Pre-School
Date
Mon, 19 Dec 2022
Celebration / Event title
Green School Celebration
Event Description

In December we set aside a day to make sure our school was aware of our Green School Re-Certification Process. Each grade level was given a lesson to use with their students to introduce them to the concept of a Green School and how each class would work to fulfill our mission. Older students took part in a Kahoot game to test their knowledge while younger students thought of ways that they could help the Earth. This will be annual event.

Images
Other Files

Bay View Green School Celebration (169.25 KB)

This is an email sent to staff members sharing the activities that would be used with the students to explain the Green School launch.

Environmental Professional Development for Teachers

1.3.1 Environmental Professional Development for Teachers

Demonstrate that 10% of staff have completed an environmental PD. Instructional staff is defined as any staff that manages a gradebook.

  • New Schools must have all PD completed within the past 2 academic years.
  • Renewing schools must have all PD completed within the past 4 academic years.

A teacher who has participated in multiple workshops may only be counted once..

Summary Description

42 staff members including 19 out of 21 teachers attended a professional development on how our school would be reviving our school recycling program and start participating in a food waste recycling program.

Number of Teachers
3
Date
Wed, 8 Feb 2023
Teacher
Jason Wallace
Development Description

Mr. Barczewski led a full-staff professional development covering two topics focused on recycling. The first part of his presentation covered the importance of recycling and what items within our school can be recycled. He introduced the launching of an initiative to ensure that students and staff are using the blue recycling bins for recycling papers. This practice has not been consistent throughout the school in recent years. He also introduced the launch of a food waste recycling program. Food scraps from the cafeteria will be placed in special bins. The food scraps will be picked up and used at a local dairy farm. The scraps will be placed into a biodigester which will convert the scraps to energy.

Images
Other Files

Recycling Presentation - 2.7.2023 (1.08 MB)

These are the Google Slides that were shared with the staff at Bay View Elementary. The slides emphasize the importance and benefits of recycling. The objective was for the teacher to learn how we could recycle within the school and use our food waste for a positive purpose.

Green School PD Sign-In (781.71 KB)

Sign-in sheet from the PD session.

Date
Wed, 8 Feb 2023
Teacher
Bethany Buckley
Development Description

Mr. Barczewski led a full-staff professional development covering two topics focused on recycling. The first part of his presentation covered the importance of recycling and what items within our school can be recycled. He introduced the launching of an initiative to ensure that students and staff are using the blue recycling bins for recycling papers. This practice has not been consistent throughout the school in recent years. He also introduced the launch of a food waste recycling program. Food scraps from the cafeteria will be placed in special bins. The food scraps will be picked up and used at a local dairy farm. The scraps will be placed into a bio-digester which will convert the scraps to energy.

Images
Other Files

Recycling Presentation - 2.7.2023 (1.08 MB)

These are the Google Slides that were shared with the staff at Bay View Elementary. The slides emphasize the importance and benefits of recycling. The objective was for the teacher to learn how we could recycle within the school and use our food waste for a positive purpose.

Green School PD Sign-In (781.71 KB)

Sign-in sheet from the PD session.

Date
Wed, 8 Feb 2023
Teacher
Alissa Sisson
Development Description

Mr. Barczewski led a full-staff professional development covering two topics focused on recycling. The first part of his presentation covered the importance of recycling and what items within our school can be recycled. He introduced the launching of an initiative to ensure that students and staff are using the blue recycling bins for recycling papers. This practice has not been consistent throughout the school in recent years. He also introduced the launch of a food waste recycling program. Food scraps from the cafeteria will be placed in special bins. The food scraps will be picked up and used at a local dairy farm. The scraps will be placed into a bio-digester which will convert the scraps to energy.

Images
Other Files

Recycling Presentation - 2.7.2023 (1.08 MB)

These are the Google Slides that were shared with the staff at Bay View Elementary. The slides emphasize the importance and benefits of recycling. The objective was for the teacher to learn how we could recycle within the school and use our food waste for a positive purpose.

Green School PD Sign-In (781.71 KB)

Sign-in sheet from the PD session.

1.4 Achieving Sustainable Schools

1.4.1 School-Wide Staff Sustainability

Demonstrate the sustainability practices your teachers, staff, and other personnel have implemented school-wide to make your school green. Any actions involving students belong under Objective 2.

Behavior Change

Bayview Elementary School launched a school-wide food waste recycling program. The staff was trained on the importance of recycling and plans were developed for explaining the expectations to the students. The teachers then delivered lessons to the students on the importance of recycling and the steps that would be followed. As the students exit the cafeteria, they pour any remaining liquids into a designated receptacle. The students then place food waste in a second receptacle. Any remaining trash is placed in a third designated receptacle. Lastly, the students recycle their trays. The cafeteria staff members monitor students as they recycle to ensure the proper collection of food scraps. The food waste is collected by a volunteer on the weekends and delivered to a local dairy farm.

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1.4.2 Systemic Partnership

Demonstrate one partnership with a central office or board within the school system that supports part of the Maryland Green Schools Program. Any partnerships outside of your school system belong under Objective 3.

Summary Description

Cecil County Public School Facilities, specifically the electrical department, replaced all of the light fixtures throughout the school building, including the hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, and gymnasium. The light fixtures were replaced with energy-efficient LED lights. 145,601 kWh will be saved in a year.

Images

Student Action

Schools must document eight total actions that address at least three of the listed sustainability practices.

These are student actions not adult actions. Adult sustainable actions can be documented in Objective 1.4.

2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention

2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention

No records were added by the school.

2.2 Energy Conservation

2.2 Energy Conservation

Date
Thu, 22 Dec 2022
Activity title
Light Switch Plate Posters
Activity Description

The students in grade two designed light switch plate covers. These covers have phrases written on them that serve as reminders to turn off the lights and any electronic devices when not in use in the classroom. The goal of these posters is to encourage both the staff and the students at Bay View Elementary to conserve energy. The plate covers have been added to classrooms and offices throughout the building.

Images
Date
Mon, 14 Nov 2022
Activity title
Delmarva LED Light Project
Activity Description

Delmarva Power provided each student in our building with a reusable bag filled with educational materials, ten LED light bulbs, and one LED desk lamp. The students learned the advantages of using LED lights and the benefits of these lights for the environment. In turn, the students educated their parents on the importance of using LED lights in their homes. Students frequently talk about using their desk lamps at home.

Images
Other Files

MegaLight Card- shared with Families.docx (133.53 KB)

A brief notice to parents indicating the contents of their child's bag and who donated the materials.

The Judy Center MegaLight_Delmarva Proposal 2022.docx (55.31 KB)

A letter from the Judy Center thanking MegaLight Inc. for their partnership.

2.3 Solid Waste Reduction

2.3 Solid Waste Reduction

Date
Thu, 1 Sep 2022
Activity title
Water Bottle Filling Station Maintenance
Activity Description

Water bottle filling stations were installed in 2018 and 2019. The school custodial staff continues to maintain these stations. At the start of the school year, students are encouraged by their teachers to bring reusable water bottles to school. Students and staff fill up their water bottles as needed. The use of the water bottle filling stations has drastically cut the amount of plastic waste used throughout the building.

Images
Date
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
Activity title
Food Waste Recycling
Activity Description

Students deposit food waste during lunch in designated receptacles. These scraps, which would have typically gone to the landfill, are taken to a biodigester. These scraps are recycled into energy to power a local dairy farm.

Images
Other Files

Cafeteria Posters Portrait (1) (398.7 KB)

These are posters that are displayed in the recycling area of the school cafeteria.

2.4 Habitat Restoration

2.4 Habitat Restoration

Date
Thu, 17 Nov 2022
Activity title
Cleaning Birdhouses
Activity Description

This fall, Bay View Elementary established a Green Team Club. The club's first project was to clean out the birdhouses located around the school property. The birdhouses on our school's property contained old nests. These nests potentially contained bacteria and mites that would be harmful to new inhabitants. The old nests also discouraged new birds from nesting in the houses. The birdhouses needed to be cleaned in order to provide a safe nesting space for future birds. The students met after school, learned about the importance of the birdhouses, and spent time cleaning and preparing the houses for the next nesting season.

Images
Date
Thu, 8 Dec 2022
Activity title
Building Bird Feeders
Activity Description

The Green Team Club built new bird feeders. The students first learned the importance of bird feeders to the health and survival of local bird species. The students next used a map of the school to determine where the new feeders would be placed. Then, the students worked in teams to follow a set of written directions to build their feeders. The students decorated the new bird feeders. These bird feeders will provide an additional food source for birds on school grounds. The hope is that the feeders will attract different species of birds for the students to observe.

Images

2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration

2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration

Date
Sat, 7 May 2022
Activity title
Outdoor Classroom
Activity Description

In spring of 2022, construction on an outdoor classroom began. This classroom was created through a partnership with aspiring leaders from Cecil Community College. In addition, York Building Products donated rocks. Each student at Bay View Elementary designed and painted a rock in art class that was placed around the outdoor classroom. These rocks add to the beauty of the space and are an individual contribution from each student at Bay View Elementary.

Images
Date
Thu, 1 Dec 2022
Activity title
Cleaning Rain Garden and Flower Garden
Activity Description

The Green Team Club spent an afternoon weeding and cleaning up trash in the rain and flower gardens on school grounds. They pulled weeds, raked leaves, and threw away any trash that was found.

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2.6 Responsible Transportation

2.6 Responsible Transportation

No records were added by the school.

2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments

2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments

No records were added by the school.

2.8 Citzen/Community/Participatory Science

2.8 Citizen/Community/Participatory Science

No records were added by the school.

Community Partnership

Demonstrate that your school is forming long-term partnerships to foster environmental stewardship and cultivate community wellness through real-world connections.

3.1 Community Partnerships

3.1.1 School Active in Community

Describe at least one environmentally-focused partnership in which your school is working to benefit your community.

Date
Sat, 7 May 2022
Partner name
Restoration of Nature Trail
Activity Description

Members of the Cecil Leadership Institute, along with students, evaluated the condition of an already existing nature trail behind our school. They then worked to restore the nature trail and make it user-friendly again. Families were informed of the restored trail and the fact that it is available to all students during the school day. Community members are welcomed and encouraged to enjoy the nature trail when school is not in session.

Images

3.1.2 Community Active in the School

Describe at least one partnership in which a community partner is benefitting the school. These actions and projects occur on or near school grounds with support from the partner.

Date
Wed, 8 Feb 2023
Partner name
University of Maryland-Cecil County Extension Office
Activity Description

First graders were visited by a representative of the Cecil County Extension Office. The representative educated the students on how to prepare a monarch waystation. Students will plant seeds and plants in a designated area that will attract and provide food for butterflies. When the students become second graders next year, they will hatch butterflies in the fall and release them in a welcoming environment.

The Extension Office provides the second-grade classrooms with caterpillars that eventually, develop into Painted lady butterflies. The students observe and care for the caterpillars through their metamorphosis into a chrysalis and then into a butterfly. The students will release the butterflies into their environment.

Images
Other Files

Extension Email (234.15 KB)

This pdf shows the email exchange between Bay View and UMD-Extension to show when they would be coming into our building to partner with us.

Date
Fri, 24 Feb 2023
Partner name
Cecil County Department of Public Works
Activity Description

The Cecil County Department of Public Works is leading a stream restoration project behind our school. Members of the department have educated our fourth graders on this process and connected the process to their learning unit on weathering, erosion, and deposition. Students will learn about the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and actively participate in the project by choosing native plants that will attract pollinators to the newly restored area and also plants that will help to prevent erosion.

Images
Other Files

Public Works Email (188.1 KB)

This pdf shows the email exchange coordinating the visit of Public Works and our partnership.

Date
Wed, 13 Apr 2022
Partner name
York Building Products
Activity Description

York Building Products donated a stone base for our outdoor classroom, as well as, larger stones that students were able to paint to decorate the outdoor classroom.

Images
Other Files

Bay View Elementary Donation - York (621.66 KB)

This pdf shows the email exchange between Bay View and York Building Products to show when they would be coming into our building to make a donation of stone.

3.2 Additional Achievements

3.2 Additional Achievements optional

Share any environmentally-related awards, special recognition, certifications, or other achievements that your school, staff or students have accomplished.

No records were added by the school.