2016-2017 Highlights
April 29, 2017- Maryland Day at the CYC- The CYC celebrated Maryland Day with Yoga and Zumba sessions led by Kristen Bowman and Amanda Holliday, two CYC teachers! Ms Bowman led a group of students, alumni, parents, and teachers in a fun half hour of yoga moves related to Earth Day. Participants started with a mountain pose and moved to plants, bugs, and animals ending with a cat cow move. Bowman helped children think about life on earth through body movements.
Next Ms. Holliday zoomed in just in time for a lively Zumba class. Everyone participating got a good workout moving to a variety of Caribbean music beats.
This all helped to celebrate the renewal of the CYC's Eco-School USA Green Flag award and UMD Sustainability Department's Gold Office award. On display were objects of art the children had made from recycled materials and a collaborative project the Purple Room started that was also shared at the Denton Quad Greenfest.
A bulletin board displayed some of the new CYC's Physical Fitness policy complete with photos of the children in action. This policy was sparked by the governments "Let's Move" program and the Eco-School USA's Healthy Bodies component.
Next Ms. Holliday zoomed in just in time for a lively Zumba class. Everyone participating got a good workout moving to a variety of Caribbean music beats.
This all helped to celebrate the renewal of the CYC's Eco-School USA Green Flag award and UMD Sustainability Department's Gold Office award. On display were objects of art the children had made from recycled materials and a collaborative project the Purple Room started that was also shared at the Denton Quad Greenfest.
A bulletin board displayed some of the new CYC's Physical Fitness policy complete with photos of the children in action. This policy was sparked by the governments "Let's Move" program and the Eco-School USA's Healthy Bodies component.
April 27, 2017- Gold Green Office Renewal- The CYC soared through a Green Office audit as they prepare for a renewal of the UMD Gold Green Office award. After visiting the school for the renewal audit, intern Samantha Bennett said, "Congratulations on the continued effort towards becoming a green office! It was great to see all of the sustainability initiatives your office is participating in, and all the creative ways you have integrated sustainability into office culture. You have done a great job in achieving Gold certification, and you will receive your certificate soon!"
This was the easiest audit so far as the sustainable requirements have become part of the staff's culture. See the checklist of requirements.
This was the easiest audit so far as the sustainable requirements have become part of the staff's culture. See the checklist of requirements.
April 17. 2017- Save Fuel Week- This annual event involves families to make an effort to walk, bike, bus, or carpool to destinations they would normally drive to. Each time this is done during Save Fuel Week, Individuals add their names to the appropriately labeled milk jug. At the end of the week the Kindergarten Blue Committee tallied up the results. The goal was to have 40 entries but the tally was only 36. The children agreed that this was close enough for the reward of a Popsicle party for all of the children. This was considered a good way to introduce the concept of saving fuel.
April 13, 2017- Greenfest- The CYC participated in Greenfest at Denton Quad UMD for the 3rd year. The Center's display included a huge collaborative trash sculpture created by the Purple Room. Attendees were asked to cut and attach something to add to the sculpture. Scraps of paper and old magazines were provided to. The original sculpture was created discarded boxes and materials donated by the parents. The Purple Room children are in the midst of an art study and looked art made from trash for inspiration that week. Several families attended the event which included music, food, give-aways, and other activities. A big thanks goes to the Bertges family who spear headed the event.
March 6, 2017 Eco-School USA Renewal- Read about the efforts made to renew this award here.
March 6, 2017 Eco-School USA Renewal- Read about the efforts made to renew this award here.
March 15, 2017- E-waste Drive- Green Committee member and CYC parent, Sally DeLeon, set up a station where families could drop off e-waste as part of the University's e-waste drive. The Kindergarten Blue Committee made signs and several boxes were collected. DeLeon delivered them to Lot 3 for safe recycling. See the event poster.
March 15, 2017 The Kindergarten class had a Blue Committee meeting. markers were collected from the containers they had put in the other classrooms two months ago. Children counted 212 markers to send to Crayola for recycling.
Children made posters for the current e-waste drive that the Green Committee was conducting. Students learned that electronics should not be put in the landfill because of toxins they may contain and that they can be recycled at special centers. Posters were also made to remind everyone to "Power Down" before the upcoming Spring Break. The posters said classrooms should unplug appliances, turn off lights, and turn back the heat.
Children made posters for the current e-waste drive that the Green Committee was conducting. Students learned that electronics should not be put in the landfill because of toxins they may contain and that they can be recycled at special centers. Posters were also made to remind everyone to "Power Down" before the upcoming Spring Break. The posters said classrooms should unplug appliances, turn off lights, and turn back the heat.
January, 2017- The Kindergarten Blue Committee writes an article about taking care of the earth. It is published on the CYC web page. Here is an
excerpt-
On the campus of the University of Maryland, three to six year olds at the Center for Young Children help the Earth. The kindergarten class at the Center are all members of the “Blue Committee”, the child section of the school's adult “Green Committee”. “The Earth is special and we want it to survive”, said Veronica and Brady, two kindergarten members of the committee.
excerpt-
On the campus of the University of Maryland, three to six year olds at the Center for Young Children help the Earth. The kindergarten class at the Center are all members of the “Blue Committee”, the child section of the school's adult “Green Committee”. “The Earth is special and we want it to survive”, said Veronica and Brady, two kindergarten members of the committee.
Being Green in the Yellow Room
November 20, 2016- The Yellow room children write an article for publication and it is submitted to the Office of Sustainability at the UMD. A bulletin board is created by teacher Julia Aquino to show how developmentally appropriate practices used in teaching preschoolers about sustainability.
November 20, 2016- The Yellow room children write an article for publication and it is submitted to the Office of Sustainability at the UMD. A bulletin board is created by teacher Julia Aquino to show how developmentally appropriate practices used in teaching preschoolers about sustainability.
October 19, 2016- Sustainability Celebration-
The University of Maryland's Office of Sustainability honored the CYC at it's second celebration ever as they reveled their latest magazine highlighting sustainability activities around campus.
The CYC article mentioned many of the sustainable activities geared toward the littlest terrapins on campus including the garden, recycling, composting, Trash Free Tuesdays, and learning about nature. Two teachers, Sara Person, and Vera Wiest, and two parents, Sally DeLeon and Peter Sunderland, attended.
The key note speaker was the vice president of Administration and finance, Carlo Colella. He talked of reaching out to the global community and of all the advances the University has done in the area of sustainability. Other articles highlighted included a time-line on environmental activities on campus, Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability, and how the University of Maryland takes a leadership role on Global Climate policies.
CYC Garden
The Garden at the CYC provides hours of interest for the children and adults. Some of the things grown this year have been , pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, chard, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, and carrots. The CYC also has a "smelling garden" that grows herbs such as mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, and dill. Children help plant and water the garden. They pick the vegetables right from the vines, rinse them in the water fountain and eat them right on the spot. A bean teepee is also part of the playground gardens. Children can go right inside of it to find, pick, and eat the beans. Peas are grown in the spring.
The Garden at the CYC provides hours of interest for the children and adults. Some of the things grown this year have been , pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, chard, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, and carrots. The CYC also has a "smelling garden" that grows herbs such as mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, and dill. Children help plant and water the garden. They pick the vegetables right from the vines, rinse them in the water fountain and eat them right on the spot. A bean teepee is also part of the playground gardens. Children can go right inside of it to find, pick, and eat the beans. Peas are grown in the spring.
BYO Dishes to the International Picnic
October 29, 2016-The PTP organized a wonderful family event. The Green Committee encouraged attendees to bring their own dishes with a reward of Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine for all classes if 25 people participated.
The Green room counted the entrees and found that 33 people had brought their own dishes! The PTP will purchase the magazines for the school as they have done in the past.
October 29, 2016-The PTP organized a wonderful family event. The Green Committee encouraged attendees to bring their own dishes with a reward of Ranger Rick Jr. Magazine for all classes if 25 people participated.
The Green room counted the entrees and found that 33 people had brought their own dishes! The PTP will purchase the magazines for the school as they have done in the past.
Blue Room Begins Eco-School Audit October 2016-
Kindergartners agreed to join the CYC Green Committee and help with the goals toward Eco-School USA. They decided to go with "The Blue Room" committee since they are from the Blue Room and the ocean is blue on the globe. They began checking each room for number of lights and faucets. Also checking to see if the temperature of the rooms were comfortable and they checked for drafts around windows and doors.
Kindergartners agreed to join the CYC Green Committee and help with the goals toward Eco-School USA. They decided to go with "The Blue Room" committee since they are from the Blue Room and the ocean is blue on the globe. They began checking each room for number of lights and faucets. Also checking to see if the temperature of the rooms were comfortable and they checked for drafts around windows and doors.
Global Hand-washing Day- October 18-
Family Science Interns came into each classroom today to talk about the importance of making hand washing a habit. Children were taught a song, worked on a banner, and were shown germs left on their hands after washing them with a special light. Some children drew around their hands on the banners and dotted them with "germs". Children at the CYC already wash their hands frequently but this program just brought home the importance of this habit for the Global Committee.
Family Science Interns came into each classroom today to talk about the importance of making hand washing a habit. Children were taught a song, worked on a banner, and were shown germs left on their hands after washing them with a special light. Some children drew around their hands on the banners and dotted them with "germs". Children at the CYC already wash their hands frequently but this program just brought home the importance of this habit for the Global Committee.
Let's Move-September 2016-The CYC is working with a committee to earn the Let's Move certificate. Their goals have been set to create a Physical Fitness policy for the school. This was prompted by the Eco-School audit for Physical Education. Already more specific gross motor activities are being planned and implemented each week by the teacher's and included in the lesson plans. Teachers are using the balance beam, mats, stepping stones, musical instruments, scarves, ribbons, and other equipment located on the playground to encourage the children's growth in physical fitness.
Green Turtle on UMD Utility Dashboard, October 23, 2016-
Facility's Management has a Utility Dashboard to show which buildings on campus are using minimal energy. Those that are doing a good job get a green turtle, others get orange or red. The CYC has relieved a green turtle. The CYC used 1,124 Kw of energy last week.
Sheila Skinner, October 14- came to do a movement workshop with the teachers called "Kids in Motion! Music and Movement Activities for the Whole Child", and inspired everyone with activities and songs they could use. Teacher's enjoyed the active participation as they took part writing and preforming songs with actions. Teachers also shared ideas they used in their classrooms currently and found new ways to use props as they encourage children to sing and move throughout the day. Ms. Skinner informed the staff about how music enhances brain development and learning.
Trash Free Tuesday October 25,2016- Trash Free Tuesday has once again been upgraded to Fancy Lunch Tuesday. This means cloth napkins are used, lights are out (to save energy) and soft music is played.
New Greener Cleaning October, 2016- A new cleaner has been bought.
CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner Kills 99.9% of Viruses, Bacteria, Germs. No Harsh Chemicals, No Chemical Residue. This will take the place of spraying bleach on the tables for disinfectant.
All classrooms learning to sort trash September 2016- Each classroom has taken the time to educate their children on the sorting methods for trash at the CYC. They learn what goes in compost, what can be recycled, what goes in the sink to be washed, what goes in the landfill.
Bring Your Own Dishes to the Picnic October 29, 2016- The PTA has asked families to bring their own dishes to the family picnic to save on dishes destined for the landfill. If 25 families do it, the PTA will purchase a subscription to Ranger Rick Jr. magazine for each classroom!
Eco-Action Plan
Salad Bar Monday October 3, 2016-
The teacher's began a new tradition of having the first Monday of every month be a "Salad Bar" Monday. The first was a huge success with everyone bringing in one simple item, all together they made for a wonderful diverse salad! This ideas is planned to extend to the children with their salad days offering several colorful choices such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. These items will be placed on a tray to entice healthy eating choices.
Green Turtle on UMD Utility Dashboard, October 23, 2016-
Facility's Management has a Utility Dashboard to show which buildings on campus are using minimal energy. Those that are doing a good job get a green turtle, others get orange or red. The CYC has relieved a green turtle. The CYC used 1,124 Kw of energy last week.
Sheila Skinner, October 14- came to do a movement workshop with the teachers called "Kids in Motion! Music and Movement Activities for the Whole Child", and inspired everyone with activities and songs they could use. Teacher's enjoyed the active participation as they took part writing and preforming songs with actions. Teachers also shared ideas they used in their classrooms currently and found new ways to use props as they encourage children to sing and move throughout the day. Ms. Skinner informed the staff about how music enhances brain development and learning.
Trash Free Tuesday October 25,2016- Trash Free Tuesday has once again been upgraded to Fancy Lunch Tuesday. This means cloth napkins are used, lights are out (to save energy) and soft music is played.
New Greener Cleaning October, 2016- A new cleaner has been bought.
CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner Kills 99.9% of Viruses, Bacteria, Germs. No Harsh Chemicals, No Chemical Residue. This will take the place of spraying bleach on the tables for disinfectant.
All classrooms learning to sort trash September 2016- Each classroom has taken the time to educate their children on the sorting methods for trash at the CYC. They learn what goes in compost, what can be recycled, what goes in the sink to be washed, what goes in the landfill.
Bring Your Own Dishes to the Picnic October 29, 2016- The PTA has asked families to bring their own dishes to the family picnic to save on dishes destined for the landfill. If 25 families do it, the PTA will purchase a subscription to Ranger Rick Jr. magazine for each classroom!
Eco-Action Plan
Salad Bar Monday October 3, 2016-
The teacher's began a new tradition of having the first Monday of every month be a "Salad Bar" Monday. The first was a huge success with everyone bringing in one simple item, all together they made for a wonderful diverse salad! This ideas is planned to extend to the children with their salad days offering several colorful choices such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. These items will be placed on a tray to entice healthy eating choices.
Eco School Re-certification
September 2016 the audit begins with the help of the Kindergarten "Blue Committee". It was decided by the children to call themselves the Blue Committee instead of the Green Committee because their classroom is called the Blue Room and the Oceans are blue on the globe.
September 2016 the audit begins with the help of the Kindergarten "Blue Committee". It was decided by the children to call themselves the Blue Committee instead of the Green Committee because their classroom is called the Blue Room and the Oceans are blue on the globe.
September 2016
All staff agreed to work toward re-certifying as an Eco School USA school. The Green Committee decides to begin trash free Tuesday on September 20th and the preliminary trash weigh in was already only one pound.
All staff agreed to work toward re-certifying as an Eco School USA school. The Green Committee decides to begin trash free Tuesday on September 20th and the preliminary trash weigh in was already only one pound.
Summer Camp 2016
Summer camp studies included those with environmental focus. The Red Room study was recycling where the children dove into the why and how of recycling and capped it off with a visit to the Montgomery County recycling center. Orange Room studied farm animals and how they benefit us, Yellow Room learned about bugs and spent much of their summer in the outside environment appreciating nature and the small creatures there. The Green Room learned about healthy bodies which included exercise as well as healthy eating. Blue Room learned about fish and visited neighboring streams to find out what kinds of fish were there. The Purple Room studied bridges and culminated their study by creating bridges using recycled materials. See the Yellow Room's Bug Study web page for a detailed look at what a summer camp study looks like.
Summer camp studies included those with environmental focus. The Red Room study was recycling where the children dove into the why and how of recycling and capped it off with a visit to the Montgomery County recycling center. Orange Room studied farm animals and how they benefit us, Yellow Room learned about bugs and spent much of their summer in the outside environment appreciating nature and the small creatures there. The Green Room learned about healthy bodies which included exercise as well as healthy eating. Blue Room learned about fish and visited neighboring streams to find out what kinds of fish were there. The Purple Room studied bridges and culminated their study by creating bridges using recycled materials. See the Yellow Room's Bug Study web page for a detailed look at what a summer camp study looks like.