FRCDS Environment Blog

As students depart for two weeks, migrating birds arrive after thousands of miles of flight each day to find the insects waking from many months of slumber deep within logs and soil. Chipmunks are all about and the birds of prey such as the hawks and Great Horned Owls are are searching out food for their new young.

I love the spring changes. Students in several grades are tracking them within designated areas of campus. The campus will literally feel like a different place in two weeks when everyone returns and we look forward to witnessing the changes in such a vibrant expression of life. 

Come on out and take a walk through the Fen during this vacation. Catch aquatic insects with your kids in the creeks or do a morning birdwalk on a day off.  The Skunk Cabbage is blooming and soon May Apple, Trillium, Bloodroot along with a host of other gorgeous wildflowers that are just now poking out will cover the soil and fill your soul with beauty and goodness.

Enjoy!

If you like flowers, birds, healthy soils, butterflies, watershed protection, increased home value, or pretty things in general… Then follow this link and become a Native Seed Gardener!! Whether you love gardening or have never planted a plant in your life but are interested, this program is for you, as they will provide you with all the knowledge and support you could need. 

Go to this website: http://nativeseedgardeners.org/

It is that time of year again to do what has been done for literally 8,000+ years. Although it appears destructive, native species are well adapted to fire, some even requiring it to germinate seed, while non-native weeds are unaccustomed to fire and do not survive. Fire increases biodiveristy and was used by Native Americans to increase productivity of hunting grounds (more plants means more animals, which means more meals). Fire has also been historically used as a weapon of battle. No matter what, it is always an adventure.

Our school has a permit for this through the state and we are both experienced in the area of controlled burning. Do not try this at home without proper training and safety equipment at the ready.

Mr. Mike gets busy

Sure beats mowing the lawn

Get ready for the beautiful return of our rain garden species next month!

Congratulations to our 8th grade class for two extremely successful fundraisers on Friday and Saturday. A big thank you to all faculty, parents, and students for being one of the many to support this group of Students. (Sorry for the carline traffic jam Friday!)

It was a blast watching so many of the students work together and really get excited about raising the funds while taking ownership of this trip. One of my favorite conversations from Caribou Coffee:

8th Graders: “Good morning! would you like to help us save the rainforest?

Caribou Coffee Customer: “Hmm, well, what has the rainforest done for me lately??”

8th Grader: “Well it is helping to take in CO2, while producing the O2 that you are breathing right now”

Another 8th Grader: “And we will be working on saving the many species of animals that you see here on this poster” 

Another 8th Grader: “Yeah and it’s protecting us from global warming”

It was great, the customer was testing the 8th graders and they nailed a pretty good answer. Combining classroom discussion and lessons with real world experiential education is what this Costa Rica excursion is all about. 

Stay posted for info on upcoming fundraisers. 

Yes, it’s true, Spring is finally here and that can only mean one thing. Time for Mr. Mike’s annual hair cut!!

Green bracelets, flower pens, Dunkin Donuts, and Caribou Coffee are all working together with the Eighth Grade class to raise the funds for the annual Costa Rica capstone abroad. This Friday you will have the opportunity to purchase Dunkin Donuts coffee and donuts directly from the car line when you drop off your child!!! Dunkin Donuts at the intersection of Rt. 25 and 72 donated the product, so all proceeds go directly to this extraordinary trip for the eighth grade students. 

More updates to come about fundraisers and how you can support this capstone experience. The contact for Costa Rica fundraising is Jasmine Scott (JScott@FRCDS.org)

Check this link and watch the video about the rainforest that eighth graders will be helping to protect: www.mclus.org

This photo is of an endangered Umbrella Bird (aka Elvis Bird, can you guess why?). One of the things students will experience is a sunrise hike through the rainforest with a published researcher of rainforest birds to look and listen for this beautiful species.

It does not get much better than cutting down a thick stand of invasive buckthorn in the mud and pouring rain with some great students and good friends. This Fen Day was a big success. This photo was taken after about half the group had already started walking up the hill, making the turnout for the chilly morning one of the best of the whole winter. Our next Fen Day is the controlled burn. The date is weather dependent so stay tuned to Nuts and Bolts for a final date.

Welcome to the FRCDS Environment Blog, your source for news, updates, and photos of all things good and green at the Fox River Country Day School. Posts occur at least once a week, feel free to look around and enjoy!