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
Grade 6
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 20 Sep 2022
Lesson / Activity
Seed Bombs
Teacher Name
Kelly Deen and Nicole Keen
Students Count
290
Activity Description

As part of our ecology unit, 6th grade students participated in an outdoor activity where they assessed the school grounds and identified areas with invasive species. They proposed specific actions that could be done to improve the school grounds and support native species living in the area. Students made milkweed seed bombs and spread them throughout the no-mow zone to support the monarch population.

Driving unit question: How can we support the native wildlife species in our area? Focus question: How are organisms and populations affected by the availability of resources?

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Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Fri, 27 Jan 2023
Lesson / Activity
Deep Time Maryland Exhibit
Teacher Name
Denise Fieden, Sarah Beatson, and Adam Friend
Students Count
317
Activity Description

8th Grade students were tasked to design a new exhibit that could be used at the Maryland Science Center to transport visitors through Maryland's "deep time." The exhibit should help the visitors understand how the life forms in Maryland changed over time.

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Grades
Grade 6
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
Lesson / Activity
Exploring Bioplastic
Teacher Name
Kelly Deen and Nicole Keen
Students Count
290
Activity Description

6th grade students discuss the problems with our use of plastic (plastic pollution and our reliance on the nonrenewable resource of oil). Students create and analyze a bioplastic using corn.

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Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Mon, 23 May 2022
Lesson / Activity
Recycle City
Teacher Name
Denise Fieden and Karen Barboza
Students Count
300
Activity Description

At the end of the year, 8th grade students complete the lesson "Recycle City" This lesson teaches students the importance of recycling especially in a city situation. Online resource: https://www3.epa.gov/recyclecity/

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Other Files

Recycle City (37.81 KB)

Student worksheet for Recycle City classroom lesson

Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 11 May 2022
Lesson / Activity
Carbon Footprint
Teacher Name
Denise Fieden
Students Count
300
Activity Description

Students answer questions about their daily activities and use the corresponding values given on the work sheet to estimate their carbon footprint.

Students do not know what this means and this lesson makes them realize what their actions do directly to the environment.

Other Files

Carbon_Footprint_Worksheet (38.69 KB)

Student worksheet

Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 17 May 2022
Lesson / Activity
Human Population Growth and Blue Crabs
Teacher Name
Denise Fieden and Karen Barboza
Students Count
300
Activity Description

Students in 8th grade Science, identify at least 3 causes for fluctuations in the Blue Crab population and the accompanying effects. Students use online resources to complete the cause and effect organizer.

Other Files

Human_Population_Growth_and_Blue_Crabs (18.22 KB)

Student worksheet

Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Fri, 3 Jun 2022
Lesson / Activity
Bunker Hill Day
Teacher Name
Denise Fieden, Karen Baroza and Adam Friend
Students Count
300
Activity Description

8th Grade students celebrate the end of the year and the Chesapeake Bay watershed with our annual Bunker Hill Day.

Students get to travel to Bunker Hill and complete various stations including Water Quality station: Students complete a variety of tests, pH, dissolved oxygen, temp. etc. in order to determine the health of the Gunpowder

Benthic station: Students collect various benthic creatures and use their tolerance level in order to determine if the Gunpowder is healthy.

Other Files

Bunker Hill Map (82.96 KB)

Bunker Hill map with stations

Bunker Hill Mod 1 Lesson (1.22 MB)

Student lesson

Topics include: How Long Does Trash Last in our Aquatic Ecosystems? How too Much Nitrates get into the Water System Solutions: What is already being done Changes in Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystems Caused by Human Activity

Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 12 Jan 2023
Lesson / Activity
Chia Pets
Teacher Name
Melissa Barr
Students Count
100
Activity Description

Mrs. Barr's 8th grade Art students research wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region and use various clay techniques in order to create a Chia Pet based on their selected wildlife.

Images
Other Files
Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Fri, 10 Jun 2022
Lesson / Activity
Invasive Plants Wanted Poster
Teacher Name
Elise Zanetti and Kathleen Fortier
Students Count
297
Activity Description

Students collected data and observations of invasive plants found around our schoolyard and in their own communities and backyards. Students then selected and researched an invasive plant. Students turned their research into a wanted posted to be shared around school.

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Grades
Grade 8
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 9 Feb 2023
Lesson / Activity
Endangered Animals License Plates
Teacher Name
Diana Blevins, Paola Self, Ally Bryson
Students Count
250
Activity Description

Students taking Intermediate Spanish and French learned about endangered animals in Unit 2. We began the unit by identifying and comparing how they move, their habitats, their eating habits, and their physical characteristics. We continued with learning why various species of animals are in danger of extinction and what we can do to save the animals and their habitats. Students created a license plate and gave a presentation to their classmates to highlight their importance and how we can make a difference.

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Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 8 Jun 2022
Lesson / Activity
Invasive Plants Survey
Teacher Name
Elise Zanetti and Kathleen Fortier
Students Count
285
Activity Description

Students in 7th grade science completed a survey of plants growing around our schoolyard. Students used various apps to identify native and invasive plants. Students researched invasive plants to determine how they ended up in our ecosystem, the structures of the plants that allowed them to thrive within our ecosystem and how to remove them from our ecosystem. Students then created a wanted poster with their information to inform others about their selected invasive plant.

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Grades
Grade 6
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 22 Sep 2021
Lesson / Activity
No Mow Zone Investigation
Teacher Name
Kelly Deen, Nicole Keen and Adam Friend
Students Count
300
Activity Description

Students in 6th grade science participated in an activity with Matt Budinger and Katie Dell from the Office of Science. Matt and Katie led an ecology lesson and had students survey the no-mow zone for invasive plants and trees.

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Grades
Grade 6
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Tue, 17 Jan 2023
Lesson / Activity
Green House
Teacher Name
Sarah Raulerson and Adam Friend
Students Count
275
Activity Description

The greenhouse is an important part of our agriculture program that helps us teach about sustainable agricultures and teaches students how to raise their own food. 6th grade uses the greenhouse and hydroponics lab to learn about various growing methods and plant growth needs. We raise various flowers and vegetables to transfer to our outdoor raised garden beds and sell what we raise to our staff and community to raise funds to support the next crop and greenhouse upgrades.

Students focus on the following topics: Plants What is agriculture? Growing Plants Photosynthesis Parts of a flower Growing conditions Alternative growing methods Propagation Floriculture History of floriculture Floral Design Using/ marketing flowers

Images
Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 20 Oct 2022
Lesson / Activity
Endangered Animal Paintings
Teacher Name
Melissa Barr, Carrie Aitken, and Marina Kramvi
Students Count
280
Activity Description

In 7th grade art, students discovered and researched an endangered animal to gather information for an informative painting.

Teacher Directions: "For your next artwork, you will be using various brush techniques and color mixing to create a realistic portrait of an animal.  In choosing an animal, our focus will be on the animals around the world who are endangered, to raise awareness about the status of these amazing creatures.  Today, you will complete some preliminary research about an animal on the endangered list.  Try to choose an animal you are not familiar with, and if possible, choose a different animal then the other students at your table. Use the WWF website to find select your animal. You may do outside research as well. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory?direction=desc&sort=extinction_status "

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Other Files

Endangered Introduction Day 1 (468.97 KB)

Teacher Lesson

Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Wed, 9 Nov 2022
Lesson / Activity
Solar Cookers
Teacher Name
Elise Zanetti and Kathleen Fortier
Students Count
290
Activity Description

This unit focuses on energy, energy transformations and the law of conservation of energy. While learning about energy transformations, students learned about energy efficiency and renewable energy like wind turbines. Students applied their learning to design a solar cooker that was used to make a s'more. Students were encouraged to use recycled materials for their designs.

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Grades
Grade 7
Class Name (3rd grade science, AP Biology)
Date
Thu, 13 Oct 2022
Lesson / Activity
Energy Efficent Appliances
Teacher Name
Elise Zanetti and Kathleen Fortier
Students Count
160
Activity Description

Goal: I can propose ways to make a household appliance more energy efficient.

Overview: For this assignment, you will investigate how everyday appliances work by diagramming the energy transfers within that specific appliance. Objects could include household appliances, pieces of technology, etc. You will research how energy flows and is transformed from one form to another through that object, then propose ways to make that appliance more energy efficient.

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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

As we prepare our Green School Application, information has been shared to staff through emails and meetings.

Teachers have communicated and contributed various environmental activities utilized in their classrooms and clubs.

Date
Mon, 30 Jan 2023
Staff in Attendance
10
Meeting Description

The Science Department and Green Team met to discuss the application process. Teachers contributed environmental activities that they use in their classrooms in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

Images
Date
Mon, 13 Feb 2023
Staff in Attendance
88
Meeting Description

Information about MAEOE and the purpose of the Green School application was shared with the staff via email and during our after school staff meeting.

Teachers were asked to complete a survey to help support the application process. The survey can be seen here: https://forms.gle/SqnD7ZSvdBsrDCTX6

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Other Files

Green School ppt (2.83 MB)

This powerpoint was created to share information at our after school staff meeting on 2/13

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

Staff participated in various professional development opportunities from the Office of Science, The National Aquarium, Camp Puh'tok, Ladew Gardens and Discovery Education.

Number of Teachers
11
Date
Mon, 26 Sep 2022
Teacher
Elise Zanetti
Development Description

Terrapins in the Classroom training at the Animal Care and Rescue Center in Baltimore. The training was led by Aidan Murphy and included a lecture and review of data from Dr. Willem Roosenburg from Ohio University.

Images
Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Adam Friend
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Owl_Population_Growth_Simulation (104.62 KB)

Owl Population Growth Simulation Worksheet

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Denise Fieden
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Sarah Beatson
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Elise Zanetti
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Kathleen Fortier
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Kelly Deen
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Nicole Keen
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Chris Putnam
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Sarah Raulerson
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

Date
Tue, 23 Aug 2022
Teacher
Shane Stoe
Development Description

Teachers engaged in various trainings and session of pd led by the Office of Science.

6th grade teachers focused on their ecology unit and explored an owl population growth simulation.

Other Files

Grade_6_August_2022_PSD (4.63 MB)

Powerpoint provided by the BCPS Office of Science

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

Staff uses electronic newsletters and attempts to reduce paper use by using double-sided copying.

Teachers use digital lessons on Google and Microsoft aps and programs rather than copying worksheets for lessons

Installation of energy-efficient lighting or motion-sensitive lights

Teachers using green cleaners in classrooms

Teachers and students recycle

Student are encouraged to upcycle materials (for example using cereal boxes to make pinatas in Spanish class)

Conserving energy by turning off lights and unplugging when I am not using the appliance/device.

Recycling papers (writing on the back) to use for jotting note.

Take compostable items home to be composted (orange rinds, apple cores, etc.)

Use reusable containers and silverware rather than disposable bags and plasticware.

Recycle, turn off lights, limit computer use and paper use when possible

Minimize copies, recycling is encouraged.

Using the Math workbooks instead of spiral notebooks and worksheets have helped cut back on paper usage.

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Student Action

Schools must document at least Four 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

Date
Mon, 16 May 2022
Activity title
Rain Barrels
Activity Description

Two 55 gallon rain barrels were purchased for students to install and use around the schoolyard. The Baysavers Club installed one rain barrel in the courtyard area to add to their pollinator garden and the Agriscience Department added the second rain barrel for students to use near the back gardens.

Other Files

Facilities-NH-02.22.2022-Schoolyard Rain BarreL Sale-Attachment (1.4 MB)

This is the flyer that was used to promote the rain barrel sale to schools in Baltimore County.

Date
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
Activity title
Clean Green 15
Activity Description

Students remove litter from schoolyards, focused on removing that litter before it reaches the waterways (stream restoration).

https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/environment/clean-green/clean-green-15

The Clean Green 15 is a program with the Baltimore County Government. We submit our data and they track the amount of trash collected as part of the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability’s Chesapeake Bay restoration goals.

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Date
Thu, 13 Oct 2022
Activity title
Hydroponic gardening systems
Activity Description

Students create hydroponic gardening systems in our school's green house. Students learn about the importance and purpose of hydroponic gardening systems.

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2.2 Energy Conservation

2.2 Energy Conservation

Date
Wed, 22 Feb 2023
Activity title
Light Switch Labels and Energy Audit
Activity Description

Students performed an energy audit. Students surveyed classrooms at the end of the school day to see if the lights were left on or if they were turned off.

Students label the light switches throughout the school with signs or switch-plates encouraging energy conservation and reducing our impact on climate change

Images
Date
Fri, 11 Nov 2022
Activity title
Student PSAs to Promote Saving Energy
Activity Description

Students in 7th Grade Science researched energy transformations and energy efficient buildings. Students completed an energy efficiency research project, Discovery Education Lab and created public service announcements and posters to promote saving energy in our school building. Students' PSAs included suggestions for students to help save energy in our school.

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2.3 Solid Waste Reduction

2.3 Solid Waste Reduction

Date
Thu, 21 Apr 2022
Activity title
Earth Day Tree Created with Recycled Hall Passes
Activity Description

Students in the Bay Savers Club wanted to promote recycling hall passes during our celebration of Earth Day in 2022. Students placed various collection boxes in teachers’ classrooms to collect the used hall passes. Students created a morning announcement to explain and promote the activity. Once students collected enough passes, they created a tree mural out of the recycled hall passes. They also created a sign that said “We use so many passes every day! The leaves on this tree are made of only 3 days of hall passes from only science rooms. It’s a lot! Remember to recycle.”

Images
Date
Wed, 8 Mar 2023
Activity title
Recycling Club
Activity Description

Students in our environmental club, The Bay Savers, sign up weekly to pick up recycling. Student create three teams to circulate the school hallways and pick up the recycling from the classrooms. Student Green teams regularly monitor, track, and/or manage the school recycling bins

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2.4 Habitat Restoration

2.4 Habitat Restoration

Date
Wed, 9 Mar 2022
Activity title
Maryland Native Pollinator Garden
Activity Description

Students plant and tend a native plant garden in schoolyard (pollinator garden in the courtyard)

Students researched Maryland native plants, they researched and planned for the amount of space each plant would need and the benefits the plants would bring to the pollinator garden (what pollinators were attracted to each plant), they weeded and maintained the area, they watered and cared for the plants, they installed a rain barrel and made and installed blue bird houses

Images
Date
Wed, 8 Mar 2023
Activity title
Bluebird Houses
Activity Description

Students researched the design for bluebird houses. They created a budget and build bluebird houses to install around our schoolyard. Students monitor bird boxes throughout the spring and clean them at the end of the nesting season.

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2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration

2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration

Date
Fri, 7 Oct 2022
Activity title
Greenhouse and Gardens
Activity Description

Students grow food in gardens at school

The greenhouse is an important part of our agriculture program that helps us teach about sustainable agricultures and teaches students how to raise their own food. 6th grade uses the greenhouse and hydroponics lab to learn about various growing methods and plant growth needs. We raise various flowers and vegetables to transfer to our outdoor raised garden beds and sell what we raise to our staff and community to raise funds to support the next crop and greenhouse upgrades.

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Date
Thu, 2 Jun 2022
Activity title
Invasive Species Wanted Posters
Activity Description

Students identify native and invasive trees and plants in the schoolyard. Students identify an invasive species that is negatively impacting our schoolyard community and create a "Wanted" poster to educate people of the harmful invasive plants we have in our community.

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2.6 Responsible Transportation

2.6 Responsible Transportation

Date
Wed, 30 Nov 2022
Activity title
MagLev
Activity Description

In Tech Ed, students learn about Mag Lev trains. They read and research Mag Lev trains and compare them to other types of trains and they design a model train.

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2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments

2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments

Date
Mon, 12 Sep 2022
Activity title
Green house and Gardens
Activity Description

Students grow and donate and/or eat healthy food in school gardens

The greenhouse is an important part of our agriculture program that helps us teach about sustainable agricultures and teaches students how to raise their own food. 6th grade uses the greenhouse and hydroponics lab to learn about various growing methods and plant growth needs. We raise various flowers and vegetables to transfer to our outdoor raised garden beds and sell what we raise to our staff and community to raise funds to support the next crop and greenhouse upgrades.

Images

2.8 Citzen/Community/Participatory Science

2.8 Citizen/Community/Participatory Science

Date
Tue, 10 Sep 2019
Activity title
Cornell Ladybug Study
Activity Description

Students look for and collect data on native ladybugs and submit information online

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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, 24 Sep 2022
Partner name
Terrapins in the Classroom- National Aquarium program
Activity Description

We participated in the program 2022-2023, 2021-2022, 2020-2021 (virtual) and 2019-2020

Each year, we attended a teacher training to review the program expectations, meet the educator from the National Aquarium and review the data from Dr. Roosenburg from Ohio University.

Students participate in raising and caring for a northern diamondback terrapin hatchling. Students collect data weekly. Students feed, clean and maintain tank parameters to make sure the hatchling thrives in our care. Students submit data to the aquarium's animal care team monthly.

Images
Videos
Date
Wed, 22 Feb 2023
Partner name
Baltimore Humane Society
Activity Description

Students in the FFA club make blankets to donate to local animal shelters.

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Date
Mon, 13 Mar 2023
Partner name
Baltimore Humane Society
Activity Description

Students in the FFA Club are collecting donations for the Baltimore Human Society from 3/13- 3/31 2023.

Students created posters and announcements to share information about the collection.

Students collected pet food, treats, toys, enrichment items, pet care products and janitorial supplies.

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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
Mon, 10 Feb 2020
Partner name
Mr. Anderson from the Snyder Foundation
Activity Description

Environmental speaker comes to do an environmental education assembly

8th Grade students learned about Chesapeake Bay wildlife and invasives species

7th Grade students learned about animal adaptations and reptiles

6th Grade students learn about Maryland Native Species

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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.

Date
Tue, 18 Feb 2020
Title of award
Eco Schools USA
Activity Description

National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools Bronze Award- Schoolyard Habitats

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