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This program is a unique and inspiring three-day teacher workshop with emphasis on hands-on natural science and physical science investigations. The program uses technology that is designed for use in and out of the classroom. Field trips to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Pans Garden and other natural areas are included.

The program is hosted by The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

Join us June 10-12, from 8:30am to 3:30pm. The program is limited to 20 participants and teachers are eligible to received 30 points for professional development (pending approval). The fee is $35 and registration is May 22 – June 7. Email Diana Wilson for additional information.

As many of you may know Consuelo Avila- Ramsey, Industrial Hygienist has decided to leave the School District after 17 years of service. Her last day was April 2nd, 2013. Consuelo originally relocated from Elizabeth, NJ on December 01, 1995 and has been apart on the ECS group the entire time. She is looking forward to new challenges outside of the School District. The above picture is from her last luncheon together with the ECS group. She has done a great job for the District and will be truly missed by all.

Sure, we’ve all heard of Earth Day and know roughly when it takes place each year (April 22), but are you curious about its history? We were, so we looked it up!

The genesis of Earth Day is credited to Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. After witnessing the ravages of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, and inspired by the student anti-war movement, he called for an environmental teach-in, later called “Earth Day”, to be held on Wednesday, April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated that year, and now Earth Day is observed on April 22 each year by more than one billion people and many national governments in 192 countries. Earth Day appears on calendars around the world.

So, what are YOU doing to celebrate Earth Day this year?!? Here are some suggestions for local events:

What is amazing is they are all boys and the first grandchild of each.

Angela Usher – Her son Dan and his wife Kelly are expecting their son on August 5^th.

Rosa Dawson – Her son Jason and his wife Jane are expecting their son on July 21^st.

Pamela Woodworth – Her youngest daughter Allison and her husband Kerry are expecting their son on June 19^th.

Congratulations to All!! 

It’s owl nesting season again (Feb to Jul).  These very cute, very small, sandy brown owls may be nesting at a school near you. The majority of these owls living on School District property have been found in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Unlike other owls they spend most of their time on the ground. They roost and nest in burrows that extend an average of 4-8 feet into the ground. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) they average 9 inches in height and have a wingspan of 21 inches.

The owls usually inhabit open areas where they can have a clear view of potential predators, but we have also found them burrowed under portable walkways too. Burrowing owls and their eggs are protected by the state and are designated “Species of Special Concern”.  They are also protected under the federal Migratory Bird Act. Owl burrows should never be filled in with dirt; debris or any object because it can trap an owl inside or prevent an owl from entering its home. Burrow entrances should be maintained (if you can do so without causing injury); grass should be hand pulled or “weed wacked” and marking a 50’ (minimum) buffer around the opening is also recommended. Heavy lawn mowers can cause burrows to inadvertently collapse and kill the owls. You can also install T-perches near the burrow entrance to make them more visible to mowing machine operators which also provides the owls with an elevated view of the nest area.

If you find an owl burrow at a school or other School District of Palm Beach County facility please contact Environmental & Conservation Services (ECS) at 561-684-5154. ECS can provide signs, T-perches, mark off buffer zones and help with any questions you may have.  If you would like additional information regarding burrowing owls please go to FWC’s website.

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/owls/burrowing-owl/.

David Karlman, South Area Custodial Coordinator, is retiring after 26 years with the District.  He started  on July 1, 1987 and his last day will be February 28th.  The above pictures are from his retirement breakfast joined by his wife Carmen, along with a plaque presentation and cake.  He is pictured with Steve Backhus, General Manager of Facilities Services and Jimmy Pickering, Facilities Management Coordinator for Zone 10.  He has done a great job for the District and will be truly missed by all.  Happy Retirement David!!

Want to keep a healthy classroom? Want to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) at your school?

Please check out all of the valuable IAQ resources on the ECS website including Tips for Teachers.”.  Click  to watch the  IAQ Vodcast: How you can help.

Please join me in congratulating Paul Strauss as the new Director of Environmental & Conservation Services.  Paul replaces Chris Skerlec who retired last Friday.

Paul is a 23 year veteran with the School District where he has worked in just about every capacity in the Environmental & Conservation Services Department including, but not limited to, indoor air quality, petroleum tanks and well-field protection.  Before coming to the School District Paul earned a Bachelors degree in Applied Technology from the Florida Institute of Technology and worked for three years at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

In addition to all of his professional certifications and qualifications, Paul is also an talented nature photographer whose photographs have been on display at the Fulton-Holland Educational Service Center and the Norton Museum.
I am confident that Paul will do an excellent job leading the well-respected team which Chris Skerlec assembled over the past several years.  While he has big shoes to fill I have no doubt that Environmental & Conservation Services is in very good hands.

Joseph Sanches