Green School Initiative Goals
I. Four Year Plan –
A. Creating PD opportunities that are designed and offered to the entire faculty and staff. This insures that environmental efforts and literacy are on the same page, and that projects are cross-curricular and build off of each other.
B. Redesigning our PTA’s Environmental and Courtyard Committee’s relationship with faculty and staff, working towards the goal of more student driven projects within the school and the community. Ex. Students decide what educational activities could enhance the outdoor classroom, PTA provides the support students and teachers need to make it happen.
C. Add components to the outdoor classroom that is more STEAM focused. Those involved include teachers, administrators, county science coordinators and PTA.
D. Increase Recycling and Energy Conservation Efforts. Create a student recycling team to work with administration and custodial staff to develop a plan for larger efforts within the school, focusing on the cafeteria.
E. Increase bikeability for students - PTA would work with Facilities and Maintenance to add bike racks on the west side of the school campus. The PTA’s Healthy Kids committee will be responsible for offering Bike Safety workshops to students and parents.
II. Eight Year Plan -
A. Work with BCPS and Parks and Rec office to better accommodate campus greening efforts (erosion concerns, rain gardens, etc.) The PTA’s Advocacy Committee would work with county offices based on suggestions of
teachers and administration. Support will be need from BCPS Office of Outdoor Science.
B. Safe walkability and biking solutions –Students and teachers will be the driving force to ask neighborhood associations to help petition the county to ensure safer walking and biking routes in the community, leading to the school.
III. Twelve Year Plan –
A. Advocate for MDSE to create curriculum that will encourage school communities to broaden their environmental literacy and conservation practices. Faculty & Staff, students, parents and community partners, will need to continue to work to keep Hillcrest at the forefront of BCPS Green Schools.
B. Advocate for MDSE and BCPS to help Hillcrest achieve a smaller ecological footprint by addressing greening initiatives within the operations of the school’s facility. Faculty & staff, along with students and parents will outline areas of need and research possible solutions for better water and energy conservation and waste management. Ideally, Hillcrest would integrate renewable energy into the schools current system.