Chirp Sheet

On a normal school day, the amount of trash collected during lunches at Gates and Central Elementary buildings filled anywhere from 16 to 20-plus bags from each school. These days, it takes two to four bags to collect the lunchroom trash at each building.

What's different? Both schools have begun composting programs.

"By collecting four 64-gallon bins of compostable material each week — at approximately 275 lbs. per bin — we divert 1,100 lbs. of waste per week per building, totaling 48,400 lbs. (24.2 tons) annually," computed James Emmerling, the district's Science and Health Coordinator. "This effort has a measurable environmental impact: by keeping organic material out of landfills, we prevent an estimated 44,528 lbs. of CO₂e from entering the atmosphere each year. In doing so, students do more than understand sustainability—they contribute directly to climate mitigation."

Mr. Emmerling explained that as school officials searched for compost to support school gardens, they learned that Country Oaks Landscape Supply in Burton had been processing food waste from Royal Oak Schools and producing a high-quality compost product.

"Their model returned the finished compost to schools in bags at cost, which schools may then sell to the community," Emmerling said. "Revenue can be used for fundraising or to offset program expenses."

The plan is to have compost produced by the waste collected from Central and Gates available for school gardens and sale to the community this spring.

Emmerling said the decision to pilot the program at Gates Elementary and Central Elementary was prompted by strong leadership from Superintendent Matt Lobban, building principals Natalie Miller and Melissa Williams and the Food Services Director Jen Lutze. To better understand the process, Emmerling, along with Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Williams, visited Keller Elementary in Royal Oak to see the composting system in action. While the Burton-based Country Oaks has since sold the program to My Green Michigan, which now leads organics recycling efforts across southern Michigan, the process for schools remains the same.

The initiative transforms cafeteria waste from a liability into a teachable, student-centered solution.

"Using a project-based learning approach, we emphasize that student ideas and actions can meaningfully impact the environment," Emmerling said.

The project launched with a video from each building principal (Central, Gates) explaining how much cafeteria waste is generated daily and asking students for their ideas on how to reduce it. Teachers used this prompt to facilitate classroom discussions about sustainability, resource use and environmental responsibility. Students generated numerous thoughtful ideas, which were shared directly with the principals.

A follow-up video soon announced that several student ideas would be put into action (Central). These included composting food scraps, establishing a “share bin” for unopened items, and piloting compostable or reusable trays and utensils.

"By seeing their suggestions implemented, students experienced firsthand the power of inquiry, collaboration and civic action—core components of meaningful project-based learning," Emmerling said. "In this way, the project not only reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions, but also empowers students to understand that they can think critically, solve real-world problems, and leave a positive impact on their school and community."

Composting at both schools is thriving.

"Thanks to parent volunteers and staff, our students are now composting their lunch scraps at two stations," said Gates Elementary Principal Mrs. Natalie Miller. "The kids have quickly mastered the routine — pouring out milk or juice, tossing non-compostables, putting food waste in the compost bin, and neatly stacking trays. Their enthusiasm has grown so much that some are even helping run the compost stations."

Mrs. Miller said an unexpected bonus of the composting was the creation of a "share bin." Students with uneaten sealed items (like fruit or milk) can place them in the bin. Students are welcome to grab extras during lunch — and whatever’s left is saved and offered after school for snacks.

"This keeps waste low and supports resource sharing across our community," Mrs. Miller said.

Central Elementary Principal Mrs. Melissa Williams said students are thrilled to be doing something positive for the environment.

"I had a 4th-grade student ask why we hadn't started this sooner, like when she was in first grade," Mrs. Williams said. "I told her that even adults are always learning new things, including ways to help our community and the environment."

Central has also received new stainless steel trays through a grant, replacing the use of Styrofoam; and students are now using washable, stainless steel trays.

Both schools continue to seek volunteers to assist with the composting program.

"Since we use two spaces for our lunches, having an extra adult or two really helps with sorting compostables vs. garbage," Mrs. Williams said.

Pictured below, Gates Elementary parent Jenni Doolan is known as the "composting queen" as she has volunteered her time almost every day since the program started. "Her dedication to this program is amazing and has been vital to the success we have had so far," said Mrs. Miller.

It's all about traditions.

Each year, students in Mrs. Katie Davis' Spanish IV class learn about Mexican holiday traditions by creating ofrendas - an altar to welcome the spirits of deceased loved ones for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The ofrenda is the most essential tradition behind the Mexican holiday.

"Students choose a famous Hispanic person who has passed away and create an ofrenda as a memorial," said Mrs. Davis. "They contain typical cultural elements, such as candles and flowers, but also objects that represent the person and honor their memory. Students then present about their person in Spanish to the class."

This year, all of the projects were outstanding and Mrs. Davis said it was such a tough decision that there ended up being a three-way tie for "Most Creative" because of the wonderful work completed by students. The winners are...

• Best Overall: Chloe Wellman
• Most Artistic: Emerson Brock, Libby July, Ellerie Vickerman

The PreK for All program is expanding as the district has recently opened another classroom at the Cardinal's Nest. We also have a few spots open at our facility located at Central Elementary.

Both half-day and full-day spots are available. If interested, please complete the online Interest Form by clicking on this link: miearlychildhood.org.

Davison’s VEX Robotics teams showcased their engineering and strategy skills at the regional “Bulldog Bash” tournament, held at Kettering University on Saturday, November 15. Competing against 20 schools from across the state, both Davison teams made a strong showing.

The "Cards One" team delivered a standout performance, advancing to the semifinals and finishing fourth overall. They started strong by winning their first six matches, finishing with an impressive 6-win, 2-loss record. Notably, "Cards One" also achieved the tournament's highest match score with 198 points. The team was led by Captain Mikey Arnold, with teammates Tobijah Rosa and Mason Mitchell.

The "Cards Two" team, in their very first competition with a brand-new robot, secured a respectable 10th-place finish. They ended the day with a 3-win, 4-loss, and 1-tie record. This new team was captained by Clapton Underwood and included members Belle Morrison and Paul Ritzert.

The two Davison teams paired up in the 37th qualifier match against the teams from Dowagiac and Bloomfield Hills.

Below, pictured from left to right: Mason Mitchell, Tobijah Rosa, Mikey Arnold, Paul Ritzert, Clapton Underwood and Belle Morrison.

Congratulations to the following Hahn Intermediate students who were selected as members of the P2 Crew for the month of September. Each month, teachers select students who consistently embody the Positivity Project (P2) character traits and demonstrate the Cardinal Code values.

September

Tryouts for the newly formed Davison High School Unified Basketball team will take place from 8-9 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, in the DHS gym.

Unified Sports is a fully inclusive sports program that combines an approximately equal number of students with and without intellectual disabilities.

For more information, please contact Mrs. Daniyle Weir at dweir@davisonschools.org or (810) 591-3531.

The first athletic signing ceremony for the 2025-26 school year will be held December 5 at The Hub.

If your student athlete is signing to play their sport at the collegiate level, please be sure to contact Mrs. Karie Bruce in the Athletic Office to get information and sign up your student to participate. Mrs. Bruce can be reached at kbruce@davisonschools.org or (810) 591-3535.

Upcoming events scheduled in the PAC:

November 24: Davison Middle School Drama Production

December 1: Central Elementary 3rd Grade Christmas Concert

December 2: Hill Elementary 1st and 2nd grade Christmas Concert

December 12-14: Academy De La Danse Christmas Production

December 17: Davison Middle School Christmas Collage Concert

December 19-20: Just Dance Christmas Show

January 8: Hahn Vocal Concert

January13: Davison High School Theatrical Play

January 23: DCS Faculty Follies

January 28t-February 1: The Wizard of Oz (DCER The Actors Playhouse)

Davison Community Enrichment and Recreation is offering a Co-Ed Beginners Volleyball program for students in grades three and four. Practices will be held from 6:15-7 p.m. on Mondays, December 15, January 5, January 12 and January 19 at Hill Elementary. A scrimmage will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 23, in the Davison Middle School gym.

Register online at https://dcer.recdesk.com/Community/Program or call DCER at 591-0175.