OUR TOP FIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Winning 2nd place in the state for Tree-Mendous Maryland
In 2010, our environmental club got the word out to our school community to plant trees and register them in the Tree-Mendous Maryland program. The goal of this program is to have Maryland residents plant and register 1 million new trees to help improve air, water and quality of life in Maryland. Our students sent e-letters to parents, made school announcements, and created a viral text to spread the word. It worked, and our school won second place in the state for planting and registering the most trees. We were rewarded with a Scales and Tales presentation by the Department of Natural Resources.
In 2010, our environmental club got the word out to our school community to plant trees and register them in the Tree-Mendous Maryland program. The goal of this program is to have Maryland residents plant and register 1 million new trees to help improve air, water and quality of life in Maryland. Our students sent e-letters to parents, made school announcements, and created a viral text to spread the word. It worked, and our school won second place in the state for planting and registering the most trees. We were rewarded with a Scales and Tales presentation by the Department of Natural Resources.
Our Outdoor Classroom and Garden
With the help of our community partner, Mr. Redman, students designed an outdoor classroom with 4 tables made of composite lumber. Now, teachers can reserve the classroom just like they reserve the computer lab. Near the classroom there will also be a butterfly garden and water feature being finished next month.
Starting Our Cafeteria Recycling Program
In 2009, Mount View did not have any recycling in its cafeteria! Over the past 2 years, Mount View's Green Teams have worked hard to change all that. They installed 4 cafeteria recycling centers that collect county recycling and they joined the Terracycle program to collect Capri Sun Pouches and Frito Lay bags. Twice a week our Green Team collects, cleans, and ships our drink pouches and chip bags to Terracycle.
Our New Salad Garden
With the help of the Master Gardener's Program, students built a table salad garden. A spring and fall lettuce crop is used in our family and consumer science classrooms during its economical meals unit. Students take great pride in taking care of their garden and eating its produce!
Piloting The New Environmental Education Course
With the support of our principal, Mount View was offered the opportunity to pilot a new environmental education course that challenges students to design projects that can effect change in their school community. Students complete a diverse range of projects such as recycling shoes through Nike, assessing the efficiency of school toilets, and designing native plant gardens. Each project, whether implemented at school or not, has to be a viable solution to an identified environmental problem in our school community. We are excited to have been chosen to pilot this course for Howard County.