October 2014

2014-2015 Participating Schools
 
Anne Windle School for Young ChildrenPecan Creek Elementary
Wilson Elementary
Thomas Rivera Elementary
Olive Stephens Elementary
Blanton Elementary
Providence Elementary
Newton Rayzor Elementary
McNair Elementary
Hodge ElementaryMcMath Middle School
Bettye Myers Middle School
Harpool Middle School
Strickland Middle School
Koan


We are excited to have 15 schools currently registered for the Sustainable Schools program this year! We look forward to watching the great things that you are doing.

We hope to have more schools enroll!

Visit www.dentonsustainableschools.com to join

STREAM CLEAN
Register Now!

Stream Clean, Denton's fall waterway cleanup event, will be hosted the morning of Saturday, Nov. 8. Register your class or group to volunteer by Nov. 2.

TEN ON TUESDAY
by Teacher Contributor Mylina Yarbrough
3rd Grade Teacher, Wilson Elementary

 

Last year Wilson Elementary began participating in the Ten on Tuesday campaign. We kicked it off with an art project where the student outlined their foot and wrote on it - they wrote words or drew a picture to illustrate something in the world or community that is affected by trash and how they can reverse that trend. Then we hung the "pathway" (feet) in the hallway of our school. Third grade continued this activity by having our students this year and last pledge to try for "Ten on Tuesday". Ideally, they collect ten pieces of litter off the streets/playground/area around the school every Tuesday. The teachers in third grade aide this by having our extended walk on Tuesdays go on a little longer route so the students have a chance to fulfill this promise. 

 

Find out more about Ten On Tuesday

RECYCLE BOWL!
Competition runs Oct. 20 through Nov. 15

 

Six D.I.S.D. schools have signed up to participate in a friendly recycling competition sponsored by Keep America Beautiful (KAB) that motivates and encourages sustainable behavior in schools across America. The competition which runs from Oct. 20 though Nov. 15 is an opportunity for your school to invigorate your campus recycling programs, increase recycling rates, and earn points for environmental award money! The local winner will receive five additional bonus points for the Denton Sustainable Schools (DSS) program AND an

ALL-SCHOOL ICE CREAM PARTY from Keep Denton Beautiful! There are also prizes for state and national winners.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS

  

Does your campus need funds to start up or enhance an an outdoor learning center, in-school recycling program, vegetable gardne, or other environmental project? Consider applying for support through Keep Denton Beautiful's Environmental Education Grants Program!

 

The Environmental Education Grants Program provides funding and resources to Denton area public schools, private schools, and preschools to offer hands-on environmental learning opportunities for childen of all ages. Previous grants have funded environmental science, gardening, urban food production, composting, tree planting, and other projects.

 

Encourage environmental stewardship, project management, team work, and more. The Application Deadline is Friday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. Apply today through our NEW online application form!

 

Questions? Contact KDB at (940) 349-8739, or e-mail [email protected].

OCTOBER IN THE GARDEN
By Teacher Contributor Natalie Dhanoolal Rubio,
3rd Grade Teacher, Newton Rayzor Elementary, An International Baccalaureate World School

 

October is a great time to go into the garden because the temperature is a little cooler now than it was at the beginning of the school year. It is an ideal time to plant some cool weather crops. If you haven't already, arugula, kale, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, chard, radishes, beets among many others will flourish at this time. You can plant seeds or  if possible get seedlings at local garden centers.

 

If you have a native garden at your school, many plants are in bloom or having a fall flush. The Lantanas Lantana urticoides, Maximillian Sunflowers Helianthus maximilianii, salvias, Turks Cap Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii, and roses just to name a few are showing off their brilliance at this time of the year. The cooler weather can bring a riot of color to our school gardens at this time of year. This is also a great time to consider adding pansies, ornamental kale and cabbage, to school gardens that are focused on ornamental rather than food crops. Perennials are great to add at this time of the year because they can have an opportunity to develop a strong root system before the cold weather arrives.

 

Curriculum Connections

 

October ushers in the second six weeks of school and learning. Some concepts and topics that students will be exploring this six week period includes Matter, patterns in the sky, seasons, and the overarching Scientific Process skills that include observations, use of science tools, and exploration of topics through the lens of the Scientific Method. How can you utilize the garden to strengthen and provide a different environment for students to interact with these learning experiences? In Math, multiplication, division, and problem solving to name a few concepts are to be covered this six week period. This just screams square foot gardening to me. You can also include Informational Writing-procedural, informative and even persuasive writing within the context of the garden.

Since October is National Farm to School Month, I think this website would be appropriate as the helpful link for the month. The link I've include takes you specifically to a short Tips for Gardening with Students article but the entire website is rich with resources and ideas. http://growing-minds.org/tips-for-gardening-with-students/. Happy Gardening!

 

TURN TRASH INTO ART

 

Calling artists of all ages! You can do your part in reducing litter and have fun at the same time. REVERSE LITTER and The City of Denton are hosting the Reverse Litter Photo Art Contest. The contest is open to all ages and groups, registered Sustainable schools can gain points. Winning entries will be displayed at the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival. Email

[email protected] or check our Facebook page City of Denton Watershed Protection for more details.

Denton Sustainable Schools