School Community
Raising Blue Gills with Department of Natural Resources
Mrs. Cole Blue Gills 2013
Bluegills are a type of small, native sunfish found everywhere in Maryland - ponds, lakes, even tributaries of the Bay. They can be used to make a direct connection for students or visitors between their own watershed and the health of the rivers and Bay. This program is open to classroom teachers or outdoor/nature centers. DNR supplies everything – equipment, fish, and food. A teachers’ manual is also provided which includes information on aquarium set-up and maintenance, care and feeding of the fish, background information, and lesson plans. All lessons are correlated to the Maryland State Curriculum and Environmental Literacy standards.
Participants receive the equipment and fish at a workshop held in Annapolis in the fall. In the spring, the fish are either returned to DNR or are released as part of a DNR coordinated release event.
Students help feed, monitor and clean the fish tank.
Bluegills are a type of small, native sunfish found everywhere in Maryland - ponds, lakes, even tributaries of the Bay. They can be used to make a direct connection for students or visitors between their own watershed and the health of the rivers and Bay. This program is open to classroom teachers or outdoor/nature centers. DNR supplies everything – equipment, fish, and food. A teachers’ manual is also provided which includes information on aquarium set-up and maintenance, care and feeding of the fish, background information, and lesson plans. All lessons are correlated to the Maryland State Curriculum and Environmental Literacy standards.
Participants receive the equipment and fish at a workshop held in Annapolis in the fall. In the spring, the fish are either returned to DNR or are released as part of a DNR coordinated release event.
Students help feed, monitor and clean the fish tank.
| dnr_permit_blue_gill.docx |
Artists in Residence- 4th Grade
Felted Mural Arts Residency provided by the PTA is a program in which an artist in residence completes a mural with the fourth grade students annually.
In 2012, fourth graders first participated in research with their teachers about the biomes of the earth, choosing an animal, learning about it's habitat, and creating a pamphlet on how the animal thrives. Then the students made their biomes come to life through felting with our artist Karen Dilworth.
In 2013, fourth graders completed a study of the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland and created their mural of the bay.
In 2014, the fourth graders will change mediums and complete a stained glass project.
In 2012, fourth graders first participated in research with their teachers about the biomes of the earth, choosing an animal, learning about it's habitat, and creating a pamphlet on how the animal thrives. Then the students made their biomes come to life through felting with our artist Karen Dilworth.
In 2013, fourth graders completed a study of the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland and created their mural of the bay.
In 2014, the fourth graders will change mediums and complete a stained glass project.
Fostering Diamondback Terrapin with the National Aquarium and the Port of Baltimore
2012-2014
In partnership with the Baltimore Aquarium
Mrs. Murphy fosters a diamondback terrapin from the National Aquarium and the Port of Baltimore that will be released into the wild in early May. This is her second year in the program. Students monitor and care for the turtle.
The fourth graders also taught a lesson to a kindergarten class about the diamondback terrapin. They shared their knowledge about the habitat and the reasons why this program is so important.
In partnership with the Baltimore Aquarium
Mrs. Murphy fosters a diamondback terrapin from the National Aquarium and the Port of Baltimore that will be released into the wild in early May. This is her second year in the program. Students monitor and care for the turtle.
The fourth graders also taught a lesson to a kindergarten class about the diamondback terrapin. They shared their knowledge about the habitat and the reasons why this program is so important.
PTA
The parents formed a grounds beautification committee which has helped in not only providing plantings but also cleaning up dead and old landscape issues.
Bushy Blooms is an annual plant and flower sale in which families purchase plants for personal use.
PTA re-uses and recycles the games we provide at our annual fun events in order to cut down on waste.
PTA provides funding for our artist in residence program and cultural arts programs that help our school learn and celebrate the environment.
In November, each year, the PTA runs a winter coat drive for needy families in through the Howard County PTA Council. Howard County. In 2013, over 100 coats were donated from Bushy Park Families.
Reforestation with Holmes Lawn Care and HTI Inc.
A Reforestation project was approved and the project was started in December 2013.
The contractors, Holmes Lawn care and HTI Inc. assisted in planting trees. Elissa Reineck of Howard County Government, has been in contact with the principal and some of our teachers to assist the students for a hands-on green school experience. The Howard County Public School System has been working diligently to incorporate "Green" and environmental initiatives into the curriculum. This is a vital program to learn about native species, management and environmentally sound landscaping.
