Orca K-8 garden teaches students about science, composting: Orca K-8 celebrated the abundance of their school garden recently with their first Harvest Festival. Even in the cold and rain, this event brought students together for food, fresh-pressed cider, crafts and fun. Many students brought their own plates and utensils to help keep waste down and work toward a goal of zero waste. The school community composted an estimated 100 pounds of leftover food and apples.
Composting and zero waste are just a small part of the science learning and teaching happening at Orca thanks to support from Seattle voters. In 2008, construction was completed on a new science classroom, greenhouse, outdoor classroom and organic garden funded through SPS’s capital improvement levy, Buildings, Technology and Academics (BTA II). The BTA II levy provides funds for small renovations and major maintenance, plus technology and academic infrastructure, and was approved in February 2004. Many sustainable features were built in to these projects and a garden blog tracks the growing and learning happening at Orca K-8. Read more.
Beacon Hill teacher recognized as MOHAI Educator of the Year: The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) on November 6 recognized 4th-grade teacher Shannon Foster from Beacon Hill International School as the 3rd annual MOHAI Educator of the Year. Foster was instrumental in integrating global perspectives into the curriculum at Beacon Hill International, where 90 percent of the student population are immigrants or from immigrant families. She developed a “Country of Origin” project that assisted students in understanding their background and actively engaged students in classroom learning. Foster was presented with a $1,000 check and a plaque by MOHAI Co-President Maggie Walker at History Makers, MOHAI’s annual fundraising gala, right photo. Read more.
John Muir Elementary wins Spirit Award at MathFest 2009: MathFest 2009, held November 12 at the Rainier Community Center, was a great success – drawing more than 800 students, parents, teachers, principals, and community members. John Muir Elementary School won the MathFest 2009 Spirit Award. Explorations in Math hosted the third annual MathFest, which was held in a carnival-like atmosphere filled with math-related games and activities. Congratulations to all participating schools for attending and making math a priority.
Volunteers build playground in a day at Van Asselt @ AAA: More than 200 volunteers from Van Asselt Elementary School, The Home Depot and KaBOOM! joined forces to build a state-of-the-art playground on November 19 at Van Asselt Elementary at the African American Academy. Elements from students’ drawings were used to create playground blueprints and prepare for the construction of the playground. The newly constructed playground project is a part of a national partnership between Major League Soccer and its official home improvement sponsor, The Home Depot, along with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization that brings business and community groups together to construct playgrounds, parks and fields.
Source: Seattle Public Schools
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