 Hands-on environmental lessons now will be part of the curriculum of all local elementary schools, thanks to a partnership between PRIDE, Pulaski County Fiscal Court, Pulaski County Schools and Somerset Independent Schools. A PRIDE environmental education coordinator will visit classrooms each month to lead fun activities that prepare students for state science tests and life-long environmental stewardship.
Pulaski County’s PRIDE Environmental Education Outreach Program was launched Nov. 2, 2007, at a court house ceremony. Judge-Executive Barty Bullock presented PRIDE President/Chief Executive Officer Karen Engle with a ceremonial check for the program fee. Representing the school systems were Somerset Superintendent Wilson Sears and Libby Erp, on behalf of Pulaski County Superintendent Tim Eaton.
“I want to thank Judge Bullock, the magistrates, Mr. Sears and Mr. Eaton for supporting this program,” Engle said. “You obviously share PRIDE’s commitment to showing students how our daily lives impact the environment around us and why it is our personal responsibility to care for it. We must teach our students today about the importance of clean water quality, recycling and proper trash disposal so they will have a cleaner, healthier environment for tomorrow.”
The goal of the PRIDE Environmental Outreach Program is to increase children’s environmental knowledge by providing lessons tied to Kentucky Core Content and involving students in cleanup activities. PRIDE offers the program in its 38-county service area. To participate, each county pays a fee and local schools commit to implementing the program in cooperation with PRIDE staff.
The program serves 3rd through 5th grade classes, with an emphasis on 4th graders who are tested on science in the state’s annual CATS testing. A PRIDE education coordinator visits classrooms each month to teach about a different environmental topic, such as recycling, energy, water quality, wetlands, solid waste issues and litter, and wildlife, plant and animal habitat.
Sara Gilbert will be the education coordinator for the Pulaski County and Somerset schools. She has been with PRIDE for four years and has experience leading hands-on lessons, cleanup activities and stream walks with students and scout groups. Gilbert earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Wildlife Management at Eastern Kentucky University and completed the Kentucky State Environmental Education Certification Program for non-formal educators.
Eastern Kentucky PRIDE is a nonprofit organization that promotes “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment” in southern and eastern Kentucky. PRIDE works with communities to improve water quality, clean up solid waste problems and increase environmental awareness.
For more information, please visit www.kypride.org or call the PRIDE office, which is located at The Center for Rural Development, at 677-6150. |
