
D65 Sustainability Update: Mar 25

Evanston Recycling Truck Art Design Competition: King Arts 6th Grade Winners
Congratulations to King Arts 6th Grade students August, Beatrice, and Lailah, whose original graphic design (images above) now adorn a City of Evanston recycling truck!
The students’ design received the most votes in the Recycling Truck Student Art Design Competition, hosted by the City and District 65. In honor of America Recycles Day (November 15), the annual contest challenged students to create original artwork illustrating the dangers of putting batteries in the recycling bin.
Keep an eye out for the newly wrapped truck rolling around Evanston in 2025!
Support our D65 Sustainability Plan (draft) and share feedback by March 17
This plan has been developed by a working group comprised of a variety of stakeholders including D65 and D202 Staff and Students, City of Evanston and Village of Skokie employees, and members of multiple local community based organizations.
We are asking for your support on our first D65 Sustainability Plan as we prepare to present to the D65 School Board on April 7.
We welcome your feedback draft D65 Sustainability Plan, focusing on the Goals and Recommended Strategies via our Feedback Survey open through March 17.
Recap: D65 Climate Action Community Meeting on March 11
Thanks to all who joined our Community Meeting on March 11. Sharing our google slides from our meeting in case you'd like to learn more.
2025 Earth Month Activities at our Schools 💚🌎💚
NEW! SWANCC Grant Opportunity for Earth Month
Motivate your students, club, or other group and light a spark of enthusiasm through action!
Low stress, fully funded, and materials are delivered to you.
Apply for a $200 Clean Up Grant to celebrate Earth Month or any other month of the year!
Fall Tree Planting Requests 🌳 due May 31
Interested in planting new trees on our D65 school grounds this Fall? Make sure to use our refreshed D65 collaboration & approval process and submit your request by May 31.
Join EPL: 2024 Blueberry Award Celebration on March 20
Want to find the best NEW books about nature, climate, and STEM learning in your classroom, library, preschool, nature center, or home? Is there a young person in your life you hope to inspire to love of nature and climate action?
Come see the 35 winning books at the 2024 Blueberry Awards Annoucement Party! Which one will you choose as the Audience Favorite?
Get a map to find the 2024 Blueberry books all around the Evanston Public Library where you can also view author and illustrator videos on your own phone (bring your earbuds) or on our iPads, to get ready to vote for the Audience Favorite! Justin Wynn scholars will be sharing crafts related to the books. Booked, Evanston will be selling books, too.
The Evanston Public Library is thrilled to announce that we will hear from two heroes just before the winners are announced:
- Susan Lempke, Director of the Lincolnwood Library and Chair of ALA's Sibert Award (best informational books) that named Life After Whale the Sibert Winner AND
- Evanstonian Marie Cabiya M.D., District 65 Climate Action Team leader, who successfully lobbied Springfield to make climate education mandatory in IL.
- AND THEN, after the annoucement, we'll hear from the author of the Blueberry Award Winner --Who can it be?
Celebrate Earth Hour: March 22 at 8:30pm local time
Every year, millions of people across the globe unite to show that they care about the future of our planet, by switching off for one hour.
Originating in Sydney, Australia, Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements. It brings the world together, shines a spotlight on the climate and nature crisis, and inspires people to act and advocate for urgent change.
Students of all ages can feel like it’s challenging to make a difference. But it’s not challenging to turn off the light switch! Earth Hour is more than making a small change in one day. Giving an hour to Earth reminds us that even small actions can make a big difference, because we’re not alone. There are millions of people joining to reduce our environmental impact - and it’s FUN!
Evanston Environmental Justice Conversation: April 5
Climate Cafe at Skokie Public Library: April 8
SWANCC Waste Reduction Grant: Now Open Year-Round
Calling all SWANCC member communities....Schools, Libraries, and now, Nonprofits are all available to apply for a $500 Waste Reduction Grant!
Do you have an idea for Waste Reduction and need a bit of financial support? Don't wait, apply for a grant today! Need more time to be creative and think through your initiative? No problem. Based on funding availability, applications are now accepted all year!
D65 Sustainability Key Resources
- D65 Sustainability Website
- D65 Sustainability Focus: 24-25 School Year
- D65 Sustainability and Garden Resources Library
- D65 Climate Action & Garden Community Contact List
- D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 23-24 School Year
- D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 22-23 School Year
- D65 Sustainability Newsletter Archive