All staff in the Howard County Public School System was required to take this course through SafeSchools. It provided staff with an understanding of the issues surrounding indoor air quality, including adverse effects of poor indoor air quality and some helpful practices to improve the indoor air quality in the facility. This training is aim to help improve the working/learning environment for all staff and students. The PD showed how to spot and report leaks from ceiling tiles, report mold growth and and other problems that might affect indoor air quality. It also gave tips on reduction of dust allergens and other pollutants for indoor air quality. This course enable everyone (staff and students) to be aware of their surroundings . Walkthroughs are made twice a year from an IEQ team.The process is based off the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indoor Air Quality recommendations for schools. One walkthrough is conducted by a school-based IEQ team of parents, staff, students, and community members, trained by the HCPSS Office of the Environment, to identify and report potential indoor environmental issues. The second walkthrough is performed by an HCPSS industrial hygienist, who assesses each school building, such as its mechanical equipment, areas above drop-ceilings, and the exterior. At the end of the training with a passing test, a certificate was given to the staff member.

Our staff (41 teachers and 58 other school staff personal ) was contacted through email by Takisha Webb-Kosh (5th grade Teacher/Elementary Science Teacher Leader) presented the Cicada PD as the ESTL. She also attended a PD with the ESTL Cohort to preview the information and discuss strategies to share the information about Brood X. She gave staff information about the Brood X Cicada with links to resources to educate and to help give instruction to our students. Our special ed team leader (Lauren Williams) also helped by including social stories to help aid students who needed an alternate approach to learning about the Cicada to aid in their fears of seeing it.

Shown below- 16 staff members (9 teachers (10% of teachers) and 7 other staff personal) signed up on a google form to say they saw the Cicada information email with resources for the online PD. They used the materials for professional development and used the resources for their students.

This PD was taken by a staff member to be a Globe Teacher to enable students to be citizen scientists. Data that will be taken by students and staff will be sent to NASA scientists and the National Wildlife Federation. The explanation of the GLOBE program is below.

NWF Eco-Schools Monarch Recovery Gardens Description of what is in the course.

A staff member went to the Montgomery County Greenfest and took some pictures of the event. She took pictures of brochures and green presentation stations.

Two teachers and a staff member took this PD to become better leaders in teaching Climate Change to students and their community. A description of the course with registrations and certificates are below.