All are welcome to attend!

Join Zoom Meeting: https://district65.zoom.us/j/89980523498

Thanks to all who joined us on February 28 for our D65 Parent University winter event at Bessie Rhodes with Learning in Places.

Caregivers and community members were invited to join us to explore an exciting approach to supporting students' education through outdoor, place-based learning that centers culture, equity, and sustainability. During this interactive family event attendees heard from guest speakers from Northwestern and D65 educators. We all also had the opportunity to go on an outdoor walk in order to experience the program first hand.

“It's so important for our students to build a sense of agency and a sense of ecological caring and connectedness to nature and for us to help students keep and strengthen that connection over the course of their schooling experience in D65 — the health and well-being of our planet depend on it,” Dr. Alissa Berg, D65 Director of Science, said. “We know D65 families care about ensuring a sustainable future for their children.”

US EPA Clean School Bus Program Awards website is showing that STA was awarded $12,187,254 for 32 all electric school buses for five school districts they're serving in Illinois and Wisconsin including District 65. As part of the grant award, D65 is potentially eligible for our students to be served by five electric school buses.

District 65 is still working through details and do not have additional information at this time. Our District is excited about the opportunity for our students and community to have access to quiet, clean operating electric school buses and improved air quality.

In 2022, D65 received funding for one (1) electric school bus for our Head Start Program. To learn more, visit this Northwestern Now article.

Did you know a new club started at Haven Middle School in February?

Haven students are invited to become a member of Club Tree'd and help revamp Haven's Greenhouse. The "Get Well" Greenhouse Project offers the opportunity to plan, cultivate and create through seed starting, plant care, gardening and recreational projects. Club Tree’d is a Social and Wellness Club. Club meetings will be held after schools on Wednesdays in the greenhouse from 3:20 – 4:30PM. Member benefits include social events, self care services, life skills and DIY workshops.

Registration is Required, Space is Limited. Club Tree'd Sign-Up

Got Questions? Contact: Miss Trina

tried.true.treed@gmail.com or Insta: triedtrue_treed

D65's Let's Recycle Better, Together! is underway as a district wide project to improve recycling in all our buildings, Learn More (school recycling intro).

This month, our Guidelines Team is continuing to develop guidelines and best practices to improve recycling in our buildings. This spring, we're hoping to roll out new recycling and landfill signage across our school buildings along with student & staff education.

Enclosed are the final D65 watering best practices for our school gardens and grounds (trees, native plants). The guidance is intended to balance watering with being good stewards of water usage and costs to the district.

Volunteers needed! Please sign up if you are able to help with setup on Thursday, May 9 or Friday, May 10, or assist at the sale on Saturday, May 11. Your help is greatly appreciated.

We need your help to grow a digital garden of sustainability and school garden ideas for District 65. Your ideas will us develop future focus areas & initiatives for climate action in our schools.

The Evanston Ecology Center is now a Litter Free Supply Station with Friends of the Chicago River. D65 schools can follow the link to reserve a Litter Free kit, which is a duffel bag with supplies.

Want to get more involved? Check out the Evanston Adopt A Park programs.

When: Wednesday April 10 from 10-11am CST

If you're interested in connecting about your school's sustainability practices, please set up a time to meet with me. Sign Up Here

Karen Bireta

D65 Sustainability Coordinator

Pronouns: she, her, hers

biretak@district65.net

Office Phone: 847-859-8156

• Do you have sustainability and/or school garden news to share from your school?
• Is there an upcoming community event you'd like to share?
• Found a cool resource to share with the community?

Email Karen Bireta, biretak@district65.net to include in an upcoming sustainability newsletter.

• D65 Sustainability Focus: 23-24 School Year
  
• D65 Guidance for Climate Action and Gardens at Schools: 23-24 School Year
  
• D65 Sustainability and Garden Resources Library
• D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 22-23 School Year
• D65 Climate Action & Garden Community Contact List
• D65 Sustainability Website