Alcott Elementary School is committed to excellence in and out of the classroom. Our mission is to inspire our students to strive for and meet the highest levels of academic and personal achievement, while nurturing a respectful, supportive, engaged, curious, and passionate learning community.
January 20, 2020
Good Evening,
As previously mentioned, it is important to share updates relative to the efforts toward reaching the goals in the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. The goal of creating a safe and healthy learning environment includes environmental sustainability. The schools are committed and enthusiastic about these efforts. One year ago, a District Sustainability Committee formed where administrators, faculty, parents, students and community members could plan this work.
The 2019-2020 Sustainability Action Plan integrates school-based focuses on reaching the Town of Concord’s Sustainability Goals and Principles. This year, we are focused on: Composting, Energy, Transportation, Student Learning. Updates on each are provided below.
Composting:
Thoreau started composting last year. Results to date:
CCHS
Composting Kickoff! A Composting Crew of 50 CCHS students recently started to coach their peers daily so composting happens smoothly!
CMS, Willard, and Alcott are making plans to get started!
Electric School Buses
We were notified in late December that our grant application for a second electric school bus was accepted! On January 21, 2020, we will present an overview of the status of the fleet and offer recommendations to continue to expand the number of electric buses.
Middle School Project
Please visit the CMS Building Project web page for an overview of the sustainability discussion to date: https://www.concordps.org/cms-building-project/cms-building-project-presentations/. The project looks to be among model schools in Massachusetts.
Curriculum Examples
One of our major goals for the year is noting the alignment between the curriculum and sustainability. Director of Teaching and Learning, Kristen Herbert, will join us at the District Sustainability Committee meeting next week for that purpose.
In the meantime, I wanted to share a fantastic Energy Fair where 7th students made projects to educate their classmates on different types of energy. The students then recommended an energy source for the town which I shared with the Middle School Building Committee.
Partnerships
We enjoy partnerships with multiple groups in the community including:
Climate Solutions Speaker Series
Concord Climate Action Network
Concord on Tap
Cooler Concord
Mother’s Out Front
Town of Concord Sustainability and Energy Committee
Town of Concord Climate Action Advisory Board
Student Groups
Students are actively engaged in these efforts. Among a number of student groups are:
Concord Middle School Green Team
Concord Middle School Animals and Plant Club
CCHS Environmental Club
CCHS Green Team
CCHS Sunrise Movement
In order to share information regularly, the district web page now hosts an Environmental Sustainability page.
Finally, I want to highlight an event we are co-sponsoring at Willard tomorrow night at 7:30 pm. The founder of the Sunrise Movement, Varshini Parkash, will be available via video call. I’m sure it will be a motivating discussion!
Best,
Dr. Laurie Hunter, Superintendent
Letter from the Principal – January 6, 2020 Happy New Year!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful vacation and was able to spend time with family and friends. It’s hard to believe that we just entered a new decade! I look forward to seeing what the new year will bring at school! Staffing Changes: I want to extend a warm welcome to two new staff members. Joelle Bottasso will be covering in 1st grade for the rest of the year for Mrs. McGuire. Jennifer Sullivan will be joining us at the end of January to fill in for Ms.
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