Courtyard Dedication
In May 2013, Hillcrest held an opening ceremony for the courtyard attended by BCPS School Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance, representative of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Councilman Tom Quirk, members of the school board, community partners involved in the creation of the courtyard, members of the PTA, and school administration and staff. The opening was featured on a local news station and the Baltimore Schools News. Not only did Dr. Dance help by performing the ribbon cutting, he assisted with some garden work as well. Students played an important role in the preparation for this event, by preparing the gardens and courtyard for our important visitors. Students also had the opportunity to tour the courtyard with our guests, while showing off all their hard work.
In May 2013, Hillcrest held an opening ceremony for the courtyard attended by BCPS School Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance, representative of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Councilman Tom Quirk, members of the school board, community partners involved in the creation of the courtyard, members of the PTA, and school administration and staff. The opening was featured on a local news station and the Baltimore Schools News. Not only did Dr. Dance help by performing the ribbon cutting, he assisted with some garden work as well. Students played an important role in the preparation for this event, by preparing the gardens and courtyard for our important visitors. Students also had the opportunity to tour the courtyard with our guests, while showing off all their hard work.
Earth Week/Turn Off Your TV Week: Every year the PTA coordinates a school-wide event that they call “Turn Off Your TV Week.” This week is deliberately scheduled to coincide with national Earth Week (i.e., in early April). A flyer is sent home with each student to encourage families to put aside all electronic screens for the week and do environmental and other non-electronic activities. Each day has a different theme and suggested activities to involve the family. Some of the activities in recent years include an evening of tree planting on school grounds, roller/ice skating/bowling night at a local arena, trash pick up on and around the school, mulching in the courtyard and on school grounds, a walk to Opie's Ice Cream night and a visit to the nearby Patapsco State Park for fun on their tire playground. Teachers reinforce this theme by doing Earth week activities in their classrooms such as nature walks and plantings.
Recycling Assemblies: On December 7, 2011, two assemblies were held to reach all (approximately) 800 students with recycling messages. The professional singer/environmental educator “Billy B” from New York City performed his blend of singing and guitar playing while teaching students about the earth, pollution and how recycling can make a big difference. The school's PTA paid for him to come to the school. Students loved his lively songs and his use of humor to illustrate the environmental concepts. At the end of his presentations, a group of teachers acted in a short skit to illustrate what gets recycled at Hillcrest Elementary, dressing in silly costumes to show the items to be recycled.
On December 17 and 18, 2013 there were assemblies to reach all 860 students on the topic of recycling at Hillcrest and in Baltimore County. Clyde Trombetti from the Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management gave the presentations using a mix of stories, group participation and videos. A member of the PTA's Environmental Committee talked to the students and teachers about the other things that Hillcrest does to recycle.
On December 17 and 18, 2013 there were assemblies to reach all 860 students on the topic of recycling at Hillcrest and in Baltimore County. Clyde Trombetti from the Baltimore County Bureau of Solid Waste Management gave the presentations using a mix of stories, group participation and videos. A member of the PTA's Environmental Committee talked to the students and teachers about the other things that Hillcrest does to recycle.
recycl-assembly-prgm.doc | |
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waste_busters_guide_2012.pdf | |
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Environmental Room at Math-Science-Night (2009-2013): Each year the school's PTA holds its 'Math-Science-Night' in the evening as a way to introduce fun learning concepts in math and science to families. Parents and a few teachers plan and coordinate the themed rooms or activities, and approximately 300 parents and students attend this one-evening event. The PTA's Environmental Committee hosts a room each year. In 2010 and 2011, the theme was 'Waste Monsters' and the room featured interactive activities on water waste, gas waste, trash, and wasting electricity. In 2012 and 2013 the theme was "Chesapeake Watershed" and the activities included (live) macro-invertebrates found in local rivers, how pollutants get into the bay, oysters as filters, learn about and make a jellyfish, and Green cleaners .
School Noticeboard
Children made a noticeboard using natural and recycled materials. This is hung in the school entrance with information about the Green activities happening in the school to keep parents, visitors and children aware of what is happening in the school.