Summary
Hillcrest Elementary School was originally certified as a Green School in 2006 and successfully recertified in 2010. We are proud of our continuing efforts as we maintain and expand our environmental learning and actions, while increasing our overall Environmental Literacy. The biggest accomplishment since our 2010 application is the grand opening of our outdoor courtyard classroom. This project is a definite sign that the whole Hillcrest community has embraced the importance of environmental and outdoor education. Students, staff, parents, and community partners rallied together to stop Baltimore County Public School's plans to cover the school’s courtyard with concrete. The result of lots of collaborative effort is that the 7,000 square foot courtyard was transformed into an engaging outdoor learning area, that includes water conservation and composting demonstrations, weather stations, and native and organic vegetable gardens.
Hillcrest students and staff are working and learning together, taking action to protect the environment on both the global and local level. Students of all grades have worked in the native and organic vegetable gardens that are part of our new courtyard. Students also participate in school‐wide recycling and energy conservation efforts that teachers have connected to classroom curriculum. By participating in age‐appropriate lessons about ecology and environmental issues, the students in all grade levels are building the foundation for becoming environmentally literate citizens. Many environmental activities have been integrated into the curriculum including the raise and release of fish, butterflies, ladybugs, and preying mantis.
Teachers have participated in a variety of professional development experiences. Hillcrest has a dedicated Teacher Environmental Committee which ensures the school building is healthy and works with teachers to integrate environmental education into the curriculum. The environmental efforts of teachers and students have impacted the broader community. Hillcrest has an active PTA environmental committee. As enrichment to the curriculum, the PTA sponsored environmental activities such as a student Green Club, Math and Science Night, Cool the Earth program, Fish Release program and supervised students in building gardens, bluebird boxes, and planting trees around the school yard. The PTA has begun working with students to provide teachers with homemade eco-friendly cleaning products. In addition, they have provided opportunities for recycling of material generated in the school, at students’ homes, and the wider community.
The reduction of our school’s ecological footprint has been a result of strong partnerships between the administration, faculty, students, PTA and community partners . Hillcrest has engaged the community in many ways. Local firms helped with projects such as tree plantings, courtyard design, and they have provided prizes. Community members have donated their time for activities such as creating the outdoor classroom, their money with donations for things such as tree planting and fish supplies, and even plants from their gardens.
The Hillcrest community as a whole is proud of our accomplishments over the past 4 years. However, we are equally inspired by our plans for future projects, instruction, and partnerships. The completion of outdoor classroom has brought a new energy and inspiration motivating all teachers to get their students involved and outdoors. Teachers are eagerly anticipating upcoming trainings, geared towards each specific grade level and their curriculum. These trainings will insure that all teachers are equipped with the experience and confidence to incorporate outdoor, field experiences throughout the school year on our own schoolyard. We look forward to seeing where the next 4 years in our Green School experience takes us.
Hillcrest students and staff are working and learning together, taking action to protect the environment on both the global and local level. Students of all grades have worked in the native and organic vegetable gardens that are part of our new courtyard. Students also participate in school‐wide recycling and energy conservation efforts that teachers have connected to classroom curriculum. By participating in age‐appropriate lessons about ecology and environmental issues, the students in all grade levels are building the foundation for becoming environmentally literate citizens. Many environmental activities have been integrated into the curriculum including the raise and release of fish, butterflies, ladybugs, and preying mantis.
Teachers have participated in a variety of professional development experiences. Hillcrest has a dedicated Teacher Environmental Committee which ensures the school building is healthy and works with teachers to integrate environmental education into the curriculum. The environmental efforts of teachers and students have impacted the broader community. Hillcrest has an active PTA environmental committee. As enrichment to the curriculum, the PTA sponsored environmental activities such as a student Green Club, Math and Science Night, Cool the Earth program, Fish Release program and supervised students in building gardens, bluebird boxes, and planting trees around the school yard. The PTA has begun working with students to provide teachers with homemade eco-friendly cleaning products. In addition, they have provided opportunities for recycling of material generated in the school, at students’ homes, and the wider community.
The reduction of our school’s ecological footprint has been a result of strong partnerships between the administration, faculty, students, PTA and community partners . Hillcrest has engaged the community in many ways. Local firms helped with projects such as tree plantings, courtyard design, and they have provided prizes. Community members have donated their time for activities such as creating the outdoor classroom, their money with donations for things such as tree planting and fish supplies, and even plants from their gardens.
The Hillcrest community as a whole is proud of our accomplishments over the past 4 years. However, we are equally inspired by our plans for future projects, instruction, and partnerships. The completion of outdoor classroom has brought a new energy and inspiration motivating all teachers to get their students involved and outdoors. Teachers are eagerly anticipating upcoming trainings, geared towards each specific grade level and their curriculum. These trainings will insure that all teachers are equipped with the experience and confidence to incorporate outdoor, field experiences throughout the school year on our own schoolyard. We look forward to seeing where the next 4 years in our Green School experience takes us.