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Mr. SWICK
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Busy School Year
Consider the following list of 2003 Environmental Science projects: Waste Reduction
New Teacher Orientation - beginning of the school yearPresented all new staff with an overview of waste reduction at DCHS. Each received a Reusable/Refillable mug. Recycling Collection Program - ongoing Weekly collection of: 4 grades of paper, cardboard, commingled (plastic, glass, aluminum, steel), batteries, & printer cartridges. Other materials include: textbooks, kitchen grease, motor oil, electronic equipment, florescent light bulbs, and yard & food waste. New material this year: Clothes Waste Audits - September Students conducted waste audits to evaluate and improve the recycling program. Results were published in the Kane County Recycling News. Recycling Guide and DVD - October & April An orientation component was produced to inform newcomers how to participate in the DCHS Recycling Program. Illinois Recycling Day - October 1st Illinois Recycling Day was celebrated with an informational assembly about recycling, caring for the planet, and wilderness ethic. America Recycles Day - November 15th America Recycles Day was celebrated with demonstrations in the Cafeteria during lunch. Students made pledges, monitored recycling efforts, and conducted waste stream audits. DCHS won the Kane County contest for the most pledges, and received a recycled content bench. Green-up Your Holidays - December ES2 students produced a show about how to reduce waste during the winter holiday season. It aired for two weeks on the local cable network. Recycling Outreach - December - February ES2 students developed and presented shows to promote waste reduction in feeder schools. They involved puppets, skits, videos, and games. Composter Sale - April 26th Students staffed the sale of home composting units in cooperation with the Kane County Department of Environmental Management. Compost Demonstration Site - opening in May In response to a burning ban, students constructed a display to inform Kane County residents on Yard Waste management options. Materials were sponsored by the Kane County Department of Environmental Management. Locker Clean-out - June An organized all-school effort to salvage unwanted items for reuse and/or recycling. Restoration
Perry Prairie - September-NovemberReceived a $5000 grant that established prairies at four district elementary schools. An Independent Study student served as the project manager. DCHS students established a Natural Area at Perry, the neighboring elementary school planting 1000 plants. Raceway Restoration - September - May Students have collected data for research, and contributed 5000 hours of restoration work at a local natural area. A 1.5 mile interpretive trail was constructed last year, and is being regularly maintained. North Fox River Habitat Improvement Project - Video September-June As part of a $1.2 million habitat improvement project involving Kane County and 3 communities, students are producing an informational video to be distributed by the EPA. ForestWatch & River Watch Data - September & May Collected & submitted data for the Illinois Ecowatch program from two sites. Petzel�s Parcel - September - May With support of a $6000 grant from the Milken Family Foundation�s Festival for Youth Program, DCHS students are teaming with Lakewood Community School 5th graders. They will develop an open space site into a community resource. They have contributed over 1000 hours of field restoration work including clearing & planting. A community education component will involve displays, a cable television piece in English & Spanish, and educational place mats to be used at local eateries. Project is overseen by a student manager. Mussel Survey - October Raceway Woods and ES2 students, in cooperation with experts & other agency personnel, participated in a mussel survey & relocation of mussels in the Fox River. Make a Difference Day - October ES1 students planted 12 large trees, 24 shrubs, Perry Prairie, and worked on the natural landscaping plots. Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife - January - May Students raise beetles to later be released to control an invasive weed. Chicago Wilderness Frog Monitoring - March - July Students monitor two sites. One at night for the presence of frog species by call. The other during the day for a herpetological survey. Fox Rescue - May 17th River cleanup effort by canoe & foot. Water
River Monitoring Outreach - October - AprilIndependent Study students developed and presented shows to train elementary students in water quality monitoring and protection. National Water Quality Monitoring Day - October 18th DCHS students attended and taught younger students from throughout Kane County on different aspects of water quality monitoring. Clean Water Celebration - March Students participated, presented, and conducted activities for an event attended by over 3000 students. Monitor With Your Mother - May 10th Primarily a student-run event. Free music, food, games, educational activities, paddling, and a demonstration using moms to measure (monitor) water quality. In cooperation with area musicians, paddlers, and agency personnel. Energy Efficiency
Charge it, Chargers - FebruaryA new rechargeable battery service is provided to students. Rechargeable batteries are offered at cost, and a free exchange of powerless for fully charged batteries is available. This was sponsored with a $400 donation from the Kane County Department of Environmental Management. Envirothon - April 9th Students compete in knowledge about Forestry, Wildlife, Soils, Aquatics, and a special topic. We have been Kane County Champions last four years. Prevention and Reduction of Pollution
Earth Week - April 21-25Various activities & guests to heighten awareness of environmental protection opportunities. We sold T-shirts, and all proceeds went to purchase 50 acres of rain forest in Mexico. Fox River Watershed Student Conference - May 8th Students learn skills from professional in Soils, Fisheries, and Arboriculture. Share year�s accomplishments. Regular Environmental Science classes - ongoing In addition to these special projects, 20+ guests came to present, and 20+ field trips were taken. Other
Envirothon - April 9thStudents compete in knowledge about Forestry, Wildlife, Soils, Aquatics, and a special topic. We have been Kane County Champions last four years. |
