Pearl School: Sustainable Schools Project

Birdneck ES Earns 1st pearl school award from lynnhaven river now

Mrs. Campbell and Mr. Dzendzel worked diligently with students in grades K-5 in a year-long PBL through the new Innovation Lab to identify issues and apply solutions that addressed environmental needs on our school grounds and local community.

pearl school projects

Many projects can be initiated at schools to add outdoor learning opportunities on grounds while also helping to improve water quality. Schools can install Rain Barrels, Scoop the Poop Boxes, Rain Gardens, or Buffer Gardens to green their school grounds with valuable learning components. Gardening Oysters to be planted on the Lynnhaven River allows students to study living systems and watershed ecology in a hands on, real world restoration project. Classroom programs such as Growing Wetlands in the Classroom and World Water Monitoring Day offer educators the chance to bring wetland education into the everyday classroom experience.

At Birdneck, we are utilizing many of these programs and more. As we complete each project, we earn points toward Pearl School Status. As of March, 2018, we have earned this status and award.

Pearl school points

The goal of the Pearl School Award Program is to encourage and support these efforts of teachers and schools. Through the Pearl School Award program, schools will be able to earn points by carrying out programs and service projects in and through their schools that teach environmental concepts and include an emphasis on our watershed, its unique characteristics and problems. Students are encouraged to take an active role in tackling some of our environmental challenges through service projects in their schools and community.

Schools accumulate points for projects outlined in our Pearl School Program flyer. Projects not included in this flyer can be considered but points will be awarded through the discretion of Lynnhaven River NOW staff. To be eligible for the Pearl School Award, elementary school must accumulate at least 100 points for the first award year and 50 points for each consecutive award year. Middle and High Schools must accumulate a minimum of 150 points the first award year and at least 75 points for each consecutive award year.