D65 Sustainability Update: Sept 25
Celebrating Okano Monarch Mural Dedication at Chute
About the Mural
This past Spring, Chute's mural came to life through the vision of Green STEAM Club, led by Wendy Mohrenweiser, Advanced Media Arts, led by Sherri Kushner, and Advanced Art, led by Jamal Duncan. Our partners Lea Pinsky and Dustin Harris from Art Encouter made this grant project possible by securing a Healing Illinois grant.
Over three months, students worked with artist-in-residence Mario Mena to explore butterfly migration, native plants, and the mural-making process. They reflected on themes of migration, the butterfly life cycle, and that-like plants - our roots give us strength. Students celebrated how diversity and cultural traditions enrich our Chute Family, then sketched their own ideas, which Mario blended into one unified design.
More than 200 students across all grades painted the first mural layers. Mario then added detail and shading in his studio, and artists Damon Lamar Reed and Terrence "T-z Eye" Haymer installed the panels of polytab on the wall. Mario worked throughout the week to add final touches, including the radiant auras glowing around the butterflies.
Special thanks to the Chute Administration, staff, D65 grant writer Milly Gardasevic, and everyone who helped bring this beautiful project to life.
Kicking Off: Recycling Truck Student Art Design Contest
As America Recycles Day approaches on November 15, the City of Evanston, in partnership with District 65, is launching its annual Recycling Truck Art Design Competition for middle school students.
This year’s theme spotlights Recycle Coach, a new tool designed to help residents “build better habits and get wiser about waste.” Students are invited to submit original art that shows how the community can use Recycle Coach to make smarter, more sustainable choices. The winning design will be featured on the outside of an Evanston recycling truck.
Important information
- All design entries must be submitted by Friday, October 17.
- The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite designs between October 20 and 24.
- The winning design will be announced shortly after the public vote.
Design Requirements
- All submitted designs should have a 2.34:1 aspect ratio to ensure compatibility with the recycling truck.
- Designs must be submitted in PDF format using this online form.
Download the promotional flyer. For additional information, visit cityofevanston.org/D65recycles.
NEW: D65 Sustainable Meeting and Event Guidelines
Developed over the summer and rolling out this Fall, we're pleased to share our D65 Sustainable Meeting and Event Guidelines.
In District 65, we strive to reduce our food & packaging waste, boost recycling and composting while reducing our waste to landfill, aligned with our Sustainable Operations Goals in our D65 Sustainability Plan applicable to all School, PTA and Community meetings and events.
Why Sustainable Meetings and Events? Hosting a sustainable meeting or event is a great learning experience for everyone, including planners and attendees, and helps us achieve Sustainable Operations Goals of reducing waste to landfill while increasing recycling & composting. Together, our daily actions truly matter to ensure a healthy and just future for our students, staff, families and generations to come. Appreciate you all for being part of our sustainability journey!
Next Steps:
- Deliver "event supplies" including 5-gallon compost buckets, tongs, signage (compost, recycling and landfill) and QR code with our new guidelines to each D65 school for staff and PTA to use.
- Spread the word among our D65 school leaders, staff and PTAs.
Join Us: D65 Sustainability Community Meeting on Oct 14
All are welcome to attend. Together we're focusing on building a brighter, healthier, more equitable future for our children. Click here for October 14 meeting details.
Climate Action & School Garden Contacts for 25-26 School Year
Please update your school's contact information for the 25-26 school year, including:
- Climate Action Team Chair(s)
- School Garden Team Chair(s)
- Climate Club
- School PTA and Newsletter emails
Sign-Up for Illinois Green Schools 25-26SY Cohort by Oct 17
The Illinois Green Schools Project (IGSP) is an annual sustainability action and recognition program for K-12 schools in Illinois. We help educators engage students and school stakeholders in hands-on projects that improve health, efficiency, and environmental impact.
Schools are represented in the program by a Green Team Leader (staff or faculty) who works to form a green team made up of other staff, faculty, administrators, and students. The green team works through three program stages: Assess & Design, Implementation, and Storytelling & Recognition. The program offers support, resources, mentorship with a sustainability professional to help guide the process, and an opportunity for a mini-grant up of to $1,000. Whether you're just getting started or already have green initiatives in place, it's a great way to connect classroom learning with real-world action, and to get students involved in meaningful, project-based work.
Get started on your sustainability project right away by signing up anytime before the extended deadline of October 17th.
Bee Grants from Whole Foods Market Foundation
Visit the museum for a day of free admission on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stop in to shop at the pop-up market featuring local Indigenous artists, visit exhibits, make some art of your own, and play in the updated Family Zone.
The City of Evanston has partnered with Recycle Coach to help residents reduce waste and improve recycling habits. Through the free Recycle Coach platform, available online or via mobile app, users can access collection schedules, receive service updates, search “What Goes Where?”, and more.
Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant: Apply by Dec 3
Earn up to $2000 for the development of wildlife habitat at your school! Projects must emphasize student/youth involvement with planning, development and maintenance and increase the educational and wildlife habitat values of the site. Learn More and Apply by Dec. 3.
SWANCC Waste Reduction Grant: Now Open Year-Round
Calling all SWANCC member communities....Schools, Libraries, and now, Nonprofits are all available to apply for a $500 Waste Reduction Grant!
Do you have an idea for Waste Reduction and need a bit of financial support? Don't wait, apply for a grant today! Need more time to be creative and think through your initiative? No problem. Based on funding availability, applications are now accepted all year!
SWANCC Grant Opportunity for Clean Ups
Motivate your students, club, or other group and light a spark of enthusiasm through action!
Low stress, fully funded, and materials are delivered to you. Apply for a $200 Clean Up Grant open year round.
Save the Date! 2025 Indigenous Peoples' Day Powwow
Join on October 13th, 2025, for Gichigamiin Indigenous Nation Museum’s 2nd annual community powwow in partnership with Evanston Township High School. The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Powwow is free and is open to the public.
This community event continues the celebration of the achievements of Illinois’s Native community, including the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation’s reclaiming Shabbona State Park, and the groundbreaking of Jigzibik Affordable Housing Complex.
More info coming soon, check the event page for the most up to date information:
D65 Sustainability Key Resources
- D65 Sustainability Website
- D65 Sustainability and Garden Resources Library
- D65 Climate Action & Garden Community Contact List
- D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 24-25 School Year
- D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 23-24 School Year
- D65 Sustainability Positive Impact: 22-23 School Year
- D65 Sustainability Newsletter Archive