The Governing Board recognizes that schools play a crucial role in educating students about the importance of the environment and in preparing them to be stewards of natural resources. The Board believes that students should value the environment, respect all life forms, understand the basic ecological principles which support the planet, and live an ecologically responsible life-style.
(cf. 6000 - Concepts and Roles)
(cf. 6142.3 - Civic Education)
The Superintendent or designee shall develop an environmental education program that is aligned with state academic standards and curriculum frameworks. The Superintendent or designee shall determine how the district's environmental education program will be integrated into the district's science curriculum and other subjects and courses in which the concepts may be explicitly and systematically taught.
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6141 - Curriculum Development and Evaluation)
(cf. 6142.93 - Science Instruction)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
The goal of the district's environmental education program shall be to provide students with an understanding of the interactions and interdependence of human societies and natural systems, people's dependence and influence on natural systems, the ways that natural systems change and how people can benefit and influence that change, the fact that there are no boundaries to prevent matter from flowing between systems, and the fact that decisions affecting resources and natural systems are complex and involve many factors.
The district's program shall emphasize a coordination of instructional resources with active student participation in onsite resource conservation and management programs and the promotion of service learning partnerships.
(cf. 1400 - Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)
(cf. 3511 - Energy and Water Management)
(cf. 3511.1 - Integrated Waste Management)
(cf. 3514 - Environmental Safety)
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 6142.4 - Service Learning/Community Service Classes)
(cf. 6153 - School-Sponsored Trips)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
8700-8707 Environmental education
8720-8723 Conservation education service
8760-8773 Outdoor science, conservation, and forestry
33541 Science requirements
37222.11 John Muir; recognition of his contributions
51210 Areas of study, grades 1-6
51220 Areas of study, grades 7-12
51795-51797 School instructional gardens
60041 Ecological systems and their protection
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
71300-71305 Statewide environmental education
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
California Environmental Protection Agency, Education and the Environment Initiative: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Education/EEI
California Department of Education, Environmental Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/oeeintrod.asp
California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery, Education and Assistance: http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Education
California Regional Environmental Education Community: http://www.creec.org
Policy VALLECITO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: December 14, 2011 Avery, California