April 22, 2010

DCPS Students Celebrate Earth Day Through Learning 

Contact: Jennifer Calloway | 202.535.1096

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today April 22, District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) students will kick off three days of hands-on learning activities to celebrate Earth Day. Founded in 1970, this annual holiday is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.

“The study of the environment provides endless learning opportunities,” said DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee. “Over the next few days, our students will delve deeper into science and social studies and gain a better understanding of how to have a positive impact on their surroundings.”

DCPS LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Dozens of learning activities will happen across the District during Earth Week and DCPS has partnered with The Earth Day Network to highlight the work of five DC Public Schools:

• Lafayette Elementary
Lafayette Elementary School will launch a water bottle recycling program in an effort to reduce the school’s lunch waste. Additionally, throughout Earth Week, students will take turns making daily announcements called “green tips” to highlight specific ways conserve and recycle. Students will also volunteer to pledge Earth Day acts to put the ‘green tips’ into action

• Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Seniors at Columbia Heights Education Campus became documentary filmmakers this semester and explored how films can be used as tool for social change. The students focused on how to share their own stories about environmental issues in their community. Students tackled air pollution, preservation and value of green spaces, access to organic food, global warming, recycling and more.

• Anacostia Senior High School, Ballou Senior High School, and H.D. Woodson Senior High School
Working to reverse any damage impacting the Anacostia River, DCPS students from three high schools will participate in the Anacostia Watershed Society’s 40th Anniversary Earth Day Cleanup & Celebration on Saturday, April 24. The project is called “Clean Ana,” and in addition to the preservation aspect, students will go back to their schools and educate their peers about the importance of clean waterways to the local Washington-area ecosystems.

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