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Department News
Earth Day 2012
The threat of rain didn’t dampen the mood at this year’s Earth Day celebration at Crews Lake Park. More than 1000 people showed up on Saturday, April 21st to celebrate the yearly event hosted by Covanta Energy, with the cooperation of the District School Board of Pasco County and Pasco County’s Department of Parks & Recreation.
Originally observed on April 20, 1970, Earth Day is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the earth and their environment by participating in hands-on fun activities and exhibits. Conservation and Recycling Operations shared in the celebration by offering arts and crafts, along with literature related to the Districts ongoing commitment to reducing, reusing, and recycling. \
A special thanks goes out to the JROTC students from Hudson and River Ridge High Schools for their support and dedication to this year’s event. “They’re professionalism, enthusiasm, and willingness to help out wherever needed, truly helped make this year’s event so successful”, praised Lottie Kelley of Covanta Pasco.
Posted by Chris Cieszynski on 04/24 at 11:25 AM
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Coca-Cola Supports Sustainability
Sustainability, now this is a term that you hear a lot lately. The District School Board of Pasco County has empowered its students and employees to be environmentally conscious through its environmental education centers, recycling, energy management and water conservation efforts.
Recently, the students at Seven Springs Middle School had an opportunity to participate in the Coca-Cola Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) Day. Students competed within their school to create projects that featured air quality and water conservation themes. The winning students from Mrs. Tehan and Mrs. Ulrich’s class were invited to attend a special Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Day sponsored by Coca-Cola. John Soler, Energy Coordinator and Karen Bryant, Recycling Coordinator served as chaperones. The day featured guest speakers from the Southwest Florida Management District, the Tampa Beautification Program, and the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of Hillsborough County.
Select students were selected to travel to the Tampa Coca-Cola bottling plant to demonstrate their projects and learn about other air quality and water conservation measures. The following students participated in the event: Paige Farina, Jillian Martin, Kiana Mohr, Storm Schenk, Zach Anderson, Olivia Batshon, Alyx Depagter, Julie Cavallaro, Michelle Ordax, Melanie Mercado, Phillip Phillips, Cason Murdoch, Celena Heesch, and Madison Shafer. The students were given front row seats to hear all of the guest presentations. When it was their turn, each group of 2-3 students presented their projects to the audience. The projects were amazing and imaginative, such as dehumidifying plants, water collection systems, the water cycle, and more. Some were hands-on demonstrations, videos, and posters. The students were very professional and knowledgeable and even answered audience questions.
The day concluded with a unique tour of the bottling plant. It was so interesting to see the several varieties of products being made. It made the students appreciate all of the hard work that goes into making their favorite Coca-Cola products. The facility uses high-efficiency lighting, skylights, and some hybrid vehicles to distribute products, so the students were able to see actual energy-efficiency measures that have been taken at the facility.
The Coca-Cola CRS Day gave the Seven Springs MS students a chance to learn about major companies in their local community that are involved in energy management, water conservation, and protecting our resources. Seven Springs Middle School is proud to help educate young minds on the importance of sustainability.
Posted by Tony Bartenope on 10/20 at 09:37 AM
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Pasco Takes Home Two Statewide Awards for Environmental Efforts
The District School Board of Pasco County has recently been honored as a recipient of the Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green School Award. Pasco has won this prestigious award in two separate categories: the Student Award and the District Award. This program, co-sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Progress Energy, recognizes the outstanding efforts of students, teachers, classrooms, schools and school districts in “creating healthy, efficient and productive places for learning.”
Matt Mooney, a junior from Land O’ Lakes High School’s International Baccalaureate Program, has won the Student Award in recognition of his work with the Cans for Habitat program. Matt serves as a Recycling Team Leader and has raised over $15, 000 by recycling nearly 1.1 million aluminum cans. The proceeds will help to build a home for a deserving family through the East Pasco Habitat for Humanity Program. Matt’s ultimate goal is to collect the 4.2 million cans necessary to pay for an entire home.
The Pasco County School District has been named as the District-level winner for its comprehensive environmental programs. In addition to providing a variety of instructional programs designed to provide meaningful hands-on learning experiences for students that emphasize the importance of environmental protection, the District was recognized for its ongoing efforts to promote sustainable resources and establish green processes for a variety of operations. These combined efforts have yielded substantial financial savings and are making a long-lasting positive impact on the environment.
“This award recognizes our commitment to environmental education, energy and water conservation, green cleaning practices and recycling. It is a distinct honor for Pasco County Schools to receive this award for the every day sustainable practices of our students, employees and administrators,” said Karen Bryant, Pasco’s Recycling Coordinator.
“We are proud of the collaborative efforts of our entire team,” stated Board Chairman Frank Parker. “Students, teachers and staff members are making our schools greener places while generating significant financial savings for our school district. Their efforts extend beyond these exciting projects, as they are equipping our future generation with an understanding of how they can protect and preserve our precious natural resources,” he added.
Posted by Chris Cieszynski on 10/08 at 09:24 AM
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