Top 5 Accomplishments
#1. Construction of a Courtyard Garden - Our greatest accomplishment the last four years has been the installation of our Courtyard Garden. This 7,000 sq.ft. outdoor space which is enclosed by the structure of the building was originally slated to be an impervious concrete space. Students, staff,parents, and community partners have spent the last four years transforming it into a beautiful garden to be used as an outdoor classroom.
#2. Fish Release Program - For 12 consecutive years, students and teachers have raised fish to be released in the Patapsco River. This is a school-wide endevour that involves 15-20 classrooms throughout the school year. Participating classrooms are in all grade levels. Each participating teacher receives instruction on how to care for the fish while involving their students in the process. Teachers use this project to relate to various science and math concepts throughout the year. The Bluegill fish, obtained from a Department of Natural Resources' fishery, are released in late Spring by the 1st and 3rd grades during a full-day field experience at the Patapsco Valley State Park. Their field experience involves hands-on activities such as water quality, land-use, and habitat conservation and restoration.
#3. Outdoor Learning Stations - After gaining an outdoor classroom space in our new school courtyard, students, staff, and parent volunteers have collaborated to design and install various outdoor learning stations. These stations allow students to step outside the classroom and gain hands-on experience while studying weather, decomposition, hydroponic gardening and composting. This addition to our outdoor classroom space has really engaged both the students and teachers in many areas of study.
#4. Organic Vegetable Gardening- Hillcrest students of all grades have participated in the planting and maintaining of our organic vegetable and herb gardens. In addition to teaching students about the importance of consuming local and sustainable produce and nutrition, the harvest of these gardens have inspired the growth of community partnerships. Local chefs and nutritionists have visited Hillcrest to teach students how the Hillcrest Harvest can be incorporated into nutritious and delicious recipes. Students have a first-hand opportunity to witness the process from seed to plate.
#5. Expansion of Recycling and Reuse Efforts - In addition to our ongoing 'single-stream' recycling program, we continue each year to expand our efforts to reuse and recycle. Hillcrest's students, staff and community participate in the collection of electronics, ink cartridges, sneakers, glue stick and bottles, markers and pens, juice containers, and chip packages for the purpose of recycling. Our efforts to reuse continues to grow as well with the added collection of clothing, blankets, toys, books, and unwanted/unopened food items.