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APS: Natural & Renewable Resources

Weekly Newsletter: April 15th, 2016

APS: Natural &Renewable ResourcesWeekly Newsletter: April 15th, 2016
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Everyday is Earth Day!

Hi all,

Thank you for all your support and interest in creating project-based learning for our students by participating in the Green Star Schools Program!

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SUS.TAIN' A. BIL' I. TY

"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." -United Nations 1987


What does this mean?

How do you students interpret this?

Can you come up with your school's OWN definition of Sustainability?

Why is 'sustainability' important?

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In order to continue moving onward and upward, below are some great resources and activities broken down in 4 categories: Energy, Water, Waste, Gardens for your students to participate in honor of Earth Day next week (although we can all agree that "Earth Day is EVERY day, right?!")


Not to mention, all student-led efforts can be badged! Lyn Knoll leads the pack with 57 badges earned and 37 students badged! Awesome work, Lyn Knoll Super Green Team!


Here's to another week of project based learning, environmental education, and going green!

Julie

jenorth@aps.k12.co.us

ext. 28668

Mobile: 720-400-3148

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ENERGY

"Efficiency is doing better than what is already being done."

-Peter Drucker


We are in our last month of the Energy Challenge Competition!

Every action counts!

So get your students out there to remind teachers and staff to conserve and reduce!

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Create Light Switch Covers

Help spread the word about energy conservation with your students creativity! Utilizing students' writing skills, create a PSA in the form of light switch covers to remind teachers and staff to "Be Bright and Turn OFF the Light."
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Lyn Knoll students created some great covers this week to help reduce energy use and promote energy conservation at the school.

The really cool part? They also earned badges for their efforts! Way to go Lyn Knoll Super Green Team!

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Compare your school's energy use to others!

Curious about energy use at your school? ALL schools in APS have access to real time data that can be used to teach place-based learning! Please visit the Building Dashboard here: www.buildingdashboard.com/clients/aps
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WATER

Katie Helm, Aurora Water Specialist has visited four Green Star Schools this semester to conduct water audits, provide insight into her career and what she does on a daily basis, and work with students to learn more about water conservation practices.

Please connect with Katie, if you'd like her to come visit your students! Khelm@auroragov.org

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Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation:

Take the Pledge to conserve water today! Click on the link below:

http://www.mywaterpledge.com/campaign/kids-campaign/

(You could win a Prius from the City of Aurora!)

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Aurora Water: Forests to Faucets

A FREE Continuing Education Program for K-12 Educators this sumer June 12-14, 2016

Join me in learning more about water conservation, where Aurora's water comes from, and how to get kids interested in water quality, preventing pollution, and systems thinking!

Space is limited: please email nbrower@auroragov.org for an application!


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Another great FREE event at the Denver Botanic Gardens!

June 9th, 2016 from 8am-5pm

Click here to register: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ecba28msb1f0dc02&llr=fmphqbdab

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WASTE

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling is only the beginning!

More than 93% of our district's trash is FOOD WASTE.

New for 2016-2017 is the Composting in the Cafeteria Program and an innovative partnership with We Don't Waste for schools to donate uneaten/unopened food to benefit shelters and food banks.


Interested in becoming a participant in one or both programs?

Email Julie at jenorth@aps.k12.co.us

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Hinkley High School's Green Echoes Team and AWCPA's CHOICES Club provides recycling sorting and pick up for teachers.
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Recycling Stations were created by students, for students to increase recycling rates at schools. In partnership with school's custodial teams, "Green Goalies" help make sure recyclable items are sorted properly in the classroom and dumped at the end of each day at a centralized recycling station in the hallway. Fletcher, Peoria, Clyde Miller, and Crawford are among those early adopters! Way to go, Green Goalies!
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Psssst! Did you know milk cartons are recyclable?!

More than 8 TONS of milk cartons are generated every week throughout our district---that's the combined weight of more than 3 grown elephants!
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Made By Milk and CARTON 2 GARDEN Programs

Made by Milk

Reuse school's empty milk cartons to build sculptures and compete in a Nation-wide Competition to earn cash incentives


Carton 2 Garden

Reduce, reuse, recycle and UPCYCLE! Milk cartons are great containers for growing plants, veggies, flowers and teachable moments!

GARDENS

"Growing a garden isn't about being poor. It's ok to thrive and have abundance, so when a local grocery store closes, we don't care."

-Principal Atasha James, Leckie Elementary School, Washington, D.C.

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"One in a Melon" Farm to Table Award

VOTE for Adams-Arapahoe 28J (aka APS) here to be awarded a "One in a Melon" school district working to integrate farm to table and garden to cafeteria programs! Every vote helps! Follow the link to cast your vote for our district: https://farmtoschoolcensus.fns.usda.gov/find-your-school-district/colorado/adams-arapahoe-28j
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APS School Garden Partners

Denver Urban Gardens


City of Aurora


The Kitchen Community School Garden Program


Slow Food Denver


Pickens Tech - Horticulture Program headed by William "Bill" Cary

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The GrowHaus

Food security? Hydroponics? Community-based Agriculture?

Sign us up!

Public & school tours are available every Friday 10am.

http://www.thegrowhaus.org/public-tours/

"Abandoned spaces make new 'innovative' places..."

With the recent approval of AWCPA's Innovative Status, the school's Science Department in partnership with the school's CHOICES Club is in the process of reclaiming this old tennis court to promote project & place-based learning models.

We'll keep you posted on the program's progress and share best practices as they are developed by students, for students.

"The Earth is what we all have in common." -Wendell Berry