NSEC Newsletter - November 2023

The city and GPISD Annual Arbor Day that was scheduled on November 3rd at the Nature Center was canceled due to district closure. Even so, our students celebrated the occasion by receiving their own Shumard Oak Tree to take home and plant. We delivered approximately 700 oak tress to the 4th graders at 6 different campuses: Austin Environmental Science Academy, Barbara Bush Global Leadership Academy, David Daniels Elementary Academy of Math & Science, Lorenzo De Zavala Environmental Science Academy, Ellen Ochoa STEM Academy at Ben Milam Elementary, and Rayburn STEAM Academy .

NSEC - Nature Center - 3303 Corn Valley Rd.

Staff Development

• 5th Grade - November 7th: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
  
• 3rd Grade - January 23rd: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
• 2nd Grade - March 5th: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
• Pre-Kindergarten - April 16th: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
• Kindergarten - April 30th: 4:30 - 6:30 PM

Grade Level Rotations

• 5th Grade - November 13 - January 19
• 3rd Grade - January 29 - February 29
• 2nd Grade - March 18 - April 12
• Pre-Kindergarten - April 17 - April 26
• Kindergarten - May 1 - May 22

NSEC had 3 trees that had fallen and the Dubiski interns were there to help clean it up with the city of Grand Prairie. This task took several days but with teamwork we were able to complete it!

We have romaine lettuce, sweet chard, cabbage, variety of peppers and broccoli growing!

2 young ladies are the GCCP club leaders. They have created a plan for their 2 gardens for the students to utilize the space and turn it into usable outdoor classrooms. (Rayan Kawasmi & Joanna Sam pictured)

Florence Hill had a clean up day and South National Honor Society came to help out. Way to go Broncos and Warriors for wonderful team work to make the dream work!

https://takecareoftexas.org/education/take-care-texas-kids-art-contest

If you're planning on participating in the 2024 Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest we can help make the experience more rewarding and educational for your students. To get them in the mindset of recycling we have lots of resources ready for you!

• We've got a collection of TEKS aligned, recycling and waste related lesson plans to download.
• On our YouTube page, we have an electronics recycling video with a corresponding handout.
• While you're there, check out some others like our Wishcycling video. Get some advanced tips on how to be a responsible recycler!
• Don't forget that we've got worksheets to keep students busy and learning.
• See some talented recycling entries from previous years at the bottom of this email to give your kids more inspiration.

The contest begins on January 3, 2024, but it’s not too early for students to start brainstorming now. Remember that all entries should portray the theme of this year's contest: recycling. Entries must include the phrase "Take Care of Texas". (Note that the phrase "It's the only one we've got" is not required this year.)

All entries must be postmarked or uploaded on or before March 1, 2024 to be eligible. Please read the complete contest rules. The entry form will be available mid December on our contest page.

Spread the word and get more students involved by downloading the contest flyer. For some artistic inspiration, see the previous recycling entries below.

Lindsay Reeves

NSEC Program Facilitator

She works with classroom teachers, Instructional Coaches and Curriculum Specialists to develop and maintain the programs lessons and the experiences students will experience.

Nature Center - 3303 Corn Valley Road, Grand Prairie TX 75052

972-522-2539

lindsay.reeves@gpisd.org

Amanda Maron

Keep Grand Prairie Beautiful Coordinator

amaron@gptx.org

972-237-4546

Kasie Roden

STEM Director

kasie.roden@gpisd.org

972-237-4010