St. Johns River Water Management District

News Release

nr09-054

District recognizes new `green' Duval County school

PALATKA, Fla., Aug. 21, 2009 - The St. Johns River Water Management District today commended the Duval County Public Schools for developing the first "green" public school in northeast Florida, the new Westview K-8 School.

Located on Jacksonville's Westside, Westview offers K-8 instruction and, when fully occupied, will be able to accommodate more than 1,450 students.

The school was constructed with many "green" features, including the use of recycled content materials for design and construction, high-efficiency toilets and low-flow faucets, and the installation of occupancy light sensors in classrooms to conserve electricity. Additionally, the school will be used as a teaching tool that integrates "green" elements into the curriculum.

The water management district partnered with the school system and the Northeast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Coalition (USGBC) in the development of the new school, and water management district education staff assisted with the development of a "green" curricula outline and trained all of Westview's incoming teachers on its educational programs The Great Water OdysseySM and Project WET (Water Education for Teachers).

The Great Water OdysseySM introduces students to the world of water through interactive, animated computer software. Odyssey teaches third-, fourth- and fifth-grade science, history, geography, social studies, reading and math in a fast-paced, engaging new way that correlates to Florida's Sunshine State Standards.

The Project WET curriculum and activity guide, for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, is a collection of 96 innovative, water-related activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun. Project WET activities incorporate a variety of formats, such as large- and small-group learning activities, laboratory investigations, discussion of local and global topics, and involvement in community service projects.

In the year ahead, the water management district will provide classroom presentations at Westview using its Watershed Action Volunteers (WAVs), and will assist with developing a Family Science Night event for students and parents. Science Nights showcase what students have learned about water resources and involve students' families in interactive learning experiences.

At the school's ribbon-cutting event today, water management district Governing Board Chairwoman Susan N. Hughes presented a framed photograph of the St. Johns River to Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals, School Board Member Vicki Drake and Westview Principal Michele Floyd Hatcher to display at the school.

"Our hope is that the artwork will serve as a reminder to students, staff, faculty and parents of the importance of our water resources and their interest in learning about the environment," said Hughes. "This has been an outstanding partnership, and we hope to join the school district in the future for many more 'green' school openings."

"As educators, we must be at the forefront of teaching students about water and energy conservation and the importance of taking care of our environment," said Pratt-Dannals. "We look forward to continuing our work with the water management district to protect our natural resources and create an eco-friendly and water-efficient environment for teaching and learning."

Visit the water management district online at www.sjrwmd.com/education for more information about its education programs, including The Great Water OdysseySM and Project WET.

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