Who says old news isn't good news? Here you will find a collection of news items from the recent past. |
posted Jun 30, 2011 7:13 PM by Kurt Reitz
Native Plants for Sale!
On June 4th the native plant nursery at the Elms will have a public plant sale.
|
posted Jun 11, 2011 11:28 AM by Kurt Reitz
The Maryland State Board of Education last week withdrew a proposed amendment to the new environmental education requirement, clarifying the way systems implement the curriculum.The State Board last week took action to clarify its interest in a strong environmental literacy requirement.
While the requirement still does not mandate a separate environmental education course as a necessary component of graduation, it states that each system must implement a locally designed environmental education program at the high school level. It can be added to an existing course or be a stand alone course. MSDE will review local curriculum to make certain the policy has been adhered to, and the State Superintendent will approve each local plan.
Board member Donna Hill Staton said she remained uncomfortable with the idea of requiring another course before granting a Maryland high school diploma. “We do not want to overburden our kids in stand alone courses,” she noted. Some environmental education advocates had complained that a proposed amendment by the State Board to the graduation requirement could have allowed local systems to skirt a strong environmental education program by letting students fulfill the requirement by taking pre-existing courses that might not have been infused with environmental literacy standards. That was not the intention of the board, said Board President James DeGraffenreidt, and the Board tightened its language. If finalized by the State Board after the comment period, the requirement will go into effect for students entering high school in the 2011-2012 school year. Source: http://msde.state.md.us/bulletin/
|
posted May 11, 2011 6:25 AM by Kurt Reitz
SMCPS Environmental Education Pilots Water Safety Program.
On January 4th, 2011 the Elms began its pilot program in water safety for 5th graders. The Elms has, for the past 30 years, been teaching students how to handle a small boat safely and the basics of safe boating. Now, after a 15 year hiatus, the Elms is bringing students back to the poolside to take what they have learned and put it into practice. The pilot involves four elementary schools from around the county and aims to assess the feasibility of the idea, its expense, and its outcomes. The pilot will continue through the beginning of March.
The program was recently featured in the Enterprise. You can view the article here:
|
posted May 11, 2011 6:24 AM by Kurt Reitz
MSDE Establishes New Comprehensive Environmental Education Requirements
The Maryland State Department of Education has adopted a revised version of "COMAR 13A.04.17 Environmental Education", the curriculum section of the state code that requires all Maryland students to undergo a program of Environmental Education .
The new regulations are far more specific than their predecessor, and will be incorporated into the existing State Curriculum. It is not clear how this will impact the teaching of Environmental Education in St. Mary's County.
Highlights of the new regulations include: - Detailed curriculum requirements for environmental literacy, including: The Flow of Matter and Energy. The student shall analyze and explain:
- (a) The movement of matter and energy through interactions of each of the following earth systems:
- (i) Biosphere;
- (ii) Geosphere;
- (iii) Hydrosphere;
- (iv) Atmosphere; and
- (v) Cryosphere; and
- Schools/Students will have to, "Develop and implement a local action project that protects, sustains, or enhances the natural environment."
The State Board of Education did not adopt the proposal for an environmental lIteracy graduation requirement at this time. The board had a number of concerns that MSDE needed to reflect upon. The answers to these questions are scheduled to be presented to the State Board on Tuesday 26 September. After this the question will go out for public comment before the board will consider taking action.
The new regulations can be viewed/downloaded here. |
posted Mar 11, 2011 7:11 AM by Kurt Reitz
Interested in Wetlands? Follow Kurt's Winter Wetland Tour!
December 26, 2010 - January 3, 2011.
Winter Will Soon Be Here! Seems like winter has begun already. Alas, winter will begin on Tuesday 21 December at 6:38 p.m., EST..
Unusually, there will also be a total lunar eclipse taking place on the same day. This has not happened for 350 years. So check it out -- according to NASA the best time to view the eclipse will be at 3:15 a.m., though it will begin at 1:30 a.m. and continue until 5:00 a.m.. |
posted Dec 19, 2010 9:25 AM by Kurt Reitz
2010, The International Year of Biodiversity
Did you know that the United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity? Well, now you know. Why not plant a native plant near your home and celebrate!
For more information see:
For access to global biodiversity data, check out
|
posted Dec 19, 2010 9:24 AM by Kurt Reitz
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has published its 2010 "Tree-Mendous" inventory and order form.
If you are interested in purchasing native trees or shrubs for your home, this is a great source for plant material. DNR also offers a $25 coupon good towards the purchase of any tree over $50 from a local nursery. You can also give the gift of a tree, or even a grove of trees through the Tree-Mendous program.
For more information on the Tree-Mendous and
(Note: To download the above files you may need to right click and select "Save Link As".) |
posted Jun 25, 2010 5:00 AM by Kurt Reitz
[
updated Jun 25, 2010 5:12 AM
]
Saint Mary's County Public School Students and Staff Accept Green School Awards!
MAEOE Green School Awards Ceremony and Youth Summit Sandy Point State Park - Annapolis
Students and staff from Greenview Knolls, Hollywood, Lettie Marshall Dent, Oakville and the Elms Environmental Education Center braved the heat to attend the 2010 Green School Awards Ceremony and Youth Summit.
Greenview Knolls and Lettie Marshall Dent were awarded Green School status for the first time and the Elms Environmental Education Center became the first Green Center in St. Mary's County.
Hollywood and Oakville Elementary Schools were both officially re-certified as Maryland Green Schools.
Hollywood Elementary earned special recognition as a "Model Green School". Model Green Schools are those who earned Green School certification twelve years ago, when the Green School Program first began, and have maintained their certification ever since.
The day ended with all participants joining in a group artwork to increase awareness of the the number 350. This is how many parts per million of carbon our atmosphere can carry without causing harm to our planet.
|
posted Jun 25, 2010 4:59 AM by Kurt Reitz
New Life Preserver Rules in Effect!
On April 15, 2010 Governor O'Mally signed a new law that requires all children under the age of 13 to wear life jackets on any boat that is underway. The new law also requires that boat operators under the age of 16 have a boating safety certificate unless supervised by an adult.
Click here for more information on the new rules.
Sadly, on Saturday, May 8, 2010 two adults took a canoe out on the Bay just offshore of The Elms during very windy conditions. When their boat capsized, only one made it back to shore. There was only one life jacket on board and neither were wearing it. After treading water for two hours, one slipped under the water. Don't let this tragic loss of life go without meaning:
Wear your life jacket: on all boats, at all times.
Click here for more information on this preventable accident.
Safe boating also requires awareness of local weather conditions. Mr. Floyd Abell, whose generous service to our community included providing local weather forecasts, passed away on May 7, 2010. His weather line helped many school groups, scout troops, and individual citizens prepare for outdoor education and recreation. He will be missed. |
|
