Community Partnerships
The Severna Park Middle School Mascot, the osprey, and the Severna Park High School Mascot, the falcon, do yoga together at the 2017 Earth Day Festival.
3.1 Community Partnerships
Community partners are integral to the success of the SPMS green school program. The school is privileged to benefit from numerous and diverse partners, some providing educational resources, others materials, volunteer support, and financial assistance. These affiliates come into classrooms to provide instruction, sometimes as a guest speaker for an entire grade. They roll up their sleeves to participate in hands-on learning, such as with the several rain gardens. Many, like the Maryland Tool Bank, provide materials for activities, allowing large groups of students to be engaged in learning projects simultaneously. The conglomeration of these partners and their respective contributions amount to a vibrant green school program at SPMS.
The Earth Day Festival, which now takes place at Severna Park High School because it has grown so popular in the community, is the epitome of SPMS’ success with community partners! The school system has established the event as a cluster requirement, therefore endorsing the program for its merits and ensuring the benefits are shared with the larger community, which includes six elementary schools and the high school. Local businesses and service organizations participate as vendors, allowing administrators, teachers and parent volunteers to establish new contacts that can and do play a role in continuing the green programs at SPMS.
The presentations at the festival itself provide a wealth of education for the hundreds of SPMS students in attendance. Enjoying the atmosphere, the students don’t even realize just how much they are indeed learning! The event, begun 17 years ago by the Watershed Action Group, continues to incorporate SPMS students, staff and volunteers in the planning and implementation, increasing these partnerships and the school’s commitment and awareness to the Watershed in which we live.
Community partners are integral to the success of the SPMS green school program. The school is privileged to benefit from numerous and diverse partners, some providing educational resources, others materials, volunteer support, and financial assistance. These affiliates come into classrooms to provide instruction, sometimes as a guest speaker for an entire grade. They roll up their sleeves to participate in hands-on learning, such as with the several rain gardens. Many, like the Maryland Tool Bank, provide materials for activities, allowing large groups of students to be engaged in learning projects simultaneously. The conglomeration of these partners and their respective contributions amount to a vibrant green school program at SPMS.
The Earth Day Festival, which now takes place at Severna Park High School because it has grown so popular in the community, is the epitome of SPMS’ success with community partners! The school system has established the event as a cluster requirement, therefore endorsing the program for its merits and ensuring the benefits are shared with the larger community, which includes six elementary schools and the high school. Local businesses and service organizations participate as vendors, allowing administrators, teachers and parent volunteers to establish new contacts that can and do play a role in continuing the green programs at SPMS.
The presentations at the festival itself provide a wealth of education for the hundreds of SPMS students in attendance. Enjoying the atmosphere, the students don’t even realize just how much they are indeed learning! The event, begun 17 years ago by the Watershed Action Group, continues to incorporate SPMS students, staff and volunteers in the planning and implementation, increasing these partnerships and the school’s commitment and awareness to the Watershed in which we live.
