Eco /ˈēkō/ adjective; not harming the environment; eco-friendly

Volume 18 ~ September 2022

Climate.Energy.Water.Conservation.

– Plato

Hey People!

Here we go...the beginning of a new school year. Here's to the joy of learning! I am sure you are as excited as I am to meet the students and get to the real work. I'm looking forward to sharing this year with you. Let me know how 4J/EWEB Education Partnership can support you.

Best wishes,

Tana aka Eco Chick

In this issue:

• 4J Loves Food Not Waste video

• Small SHiFTs, Big Difference-4J Loves Food, not Waste

• Love Food Not Waste how it works video

• Fall with the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership

• Introducing the 4J/EEP team

• September Environmental Focus "Clean the Planet"

• World Climate "Strike" 9/23

• SPLASH! Stormwater Awareness Week October 16-22

• Climate Education Resources

• Link to past newsletters

This fall Eugene 4J is putting into action our Love Food Not Waste Plan in kitchens and cafeterias across the district. The plan is part of our Climate Action Plan partnership with the City of Eugene and our shift to in-house cooking in 4J Nutrition Services prior to Covid closures two years ago.

Understanding the value of food and where it comes from, as well as how to dispose of your remains is important knowledge to carry forward as humans on planet Earth.

Check out the 22/23 Eugene 4J Love Food Not Waste Resources for information about the plan and some resources to help you help your students understand this shift in their cafeteria experience.

Small Shifts, Big Difference

As you start wrapping your head around school year 22/23, I'd like to remind you the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program is here to support you and your students!

The 4J/EWEB Education Partnership (4J/EEP) is a grant funded program within Eugene School District 4J. About 30 years ago, this phenomenal partnership was formed to support and supplement science education, particularly in the areas of energy and water. Prior to the pandemic, the program was slightly revisioned with a new theme: Our Changing Planet-Preparing for Our Future.

Check out our website's teacher page for more program offerings. (Note: updates in progress)

Reach out with questions. shepard_t@4j.lane.edu

– Malcolm X

Tana Shepard

K-12 TOSA Climate. Energy. Conservation.

Tana is in her 20th year teaching and her 6th year her current role. Prior to this position, she taught 4th and 5th grade at Chávez Elementary, as well as started the school garden, the green team and was a STEAM team leader. Her passions lie in educating others about all things to protect our Mother Earth.

Maggie Cline

K-12 TOSA Climate. Energy. Conservation and Elementary Science TOSA

Maggie has over 30 years elementary teaching experience, with 22 years in the 4J school district. She is passionate about science and environmental education, and is looking forward to working with and supporting staff and students in this upcoming school year.

Joan Stempniak

4J/EEP Program Assistant

Joan has worked in 4J for several years with KRVM and joined our program last spring. She has much experience with STEM and education from previous work experiences. She is our behind the scenes office extraordinaire.

September is a great time to get your students outside to take action for the planet. Let's clean her up! Below is a list of some of the September environmental recognition days. Litter pick-ups are a great way to connect students to the environment....and collect data using the Litterati app.

• World Clean-Up Day 9/17

• World Water Monitoring Day 9/18

• Zero Emissions Day 9/23

• World Environmental Health Day 9/22

• World Rivers Day 9/25

Choose a date and reserve the 4J/EEP litter pick-up kit. Our staff would love to join you!

—Margaret Mead

Let's raise Earth consciousness!

It's been eleven years since local climate activist, Kelsey Juliana first started her legal advocacy for limiting climate change. It's been four years since Greta Thunberg skipped school and protested against climate change. These actions, among others taken by youth, have spurred quite a movement.

Striking isn't the only way for us to stand up for the planet...let's think outside the box to give students time to share their voices for our dearly beloved, Mother Earth.

Consider some of these options:

• Do One Thing DOT mural
• Lunch time Climate March around your school grounds or the 10 block allowed walking distance
• Gather at the flag pole and recite the Earth Pledge
• Climate Strike and Art Activism activity
• Write to a local or national leader , How to...
• Digital "strike"
• Have an idea? Please share.

Fridays for the Future-Beyond Strikes

Please share your projects with us! 🌎🌏🌍

- Paul Hawken

SPLASH!-Stormwater Pollution Learn and Share is a partnership with the City of Eugene designed to educate students about the importance of only rain down the drain in our stormwater system.

SPLASH! offers grants of $500-$2000 available for teachers that participate in Salmon Education and/or use the SPLASH! resources to teach their students.

Check out SPLASH! site for resources.

Look for more info about SPLASH! grant applications via email soon.

- Amy Poehler

Subject to Climate is my new favorite climate education hub...and Oregon will have it's own section soon! It is super easy to search and has a vast number of resources that have been curated and vetted just for teachers to use for FREE!

Check it out.

STEM teaching tools Climate Education ...bookmark this page! This resource is a comprehensive climate education mecca. The what. The how. The why.

Check it out!

STEMMaterials.org is a bank of units designed for use with FOSS kits. They take some of the best lessons and integrate additional resources for a beautiful learning experienced for students. This was a resource used in our SEAL summer school program. Check it out, elementary folx!

Tana Shepard aka Eco Chick

TOSA-Climate, Energy, Conservation

Grant Coordinator-EWEB, SPLASH!, Love Food Not Waste

Email: shepard_t@4j.lane.edu
Website: https://bit.ly/4J-eep
Phone: 541.790.5533