Annual student-organized event raises money for increased environmental education
Southampton Middle School was recertified as a Maryland Green School in the spring of 2016. Nationally recognized, the Maryland Green Schools Award Program allows schools and their communities to enhance their efforts in environmental sustainability. Southampton Middle School empowers its students to make changes to reduce environmental impact, encourage sustainability and foster environmental literacy.
Southampton Middle is dedicated to expanding its Green School initiatives each year. Some recent projects include:
Environmental Stewards Program (6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who collect and encourage school-wide recycling and composting)
Rain Barrels, made by students and available for purchase for $20 each
The Eva Mar Stream Study, which assesses the health of a local stream as it is impacted by new development just upstream
Nature Photography Contest
Student-built Nature Trail
The Green School Trail – 15 signs written by students highlighting the sustainable choices throughout the campus
Terra-cycling
Estuary Center Field Trip
Recycling Carnival
Vegetable Garden in school courtyard
Native Plants as Landscaping in a second courtyard
Solar Cars
Frog Call Identification
National Park Field Trips
To support the ongoing Green School initiatives, the school will host its 3rd Annual Green School Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, March 16, 2017, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the school’s cafeteria. Tickets are $8 for all-you-can-eat spaghetti.
The dinner is a student-organized and student-run event to celebrate the school’s accomplishments and raise money to continue their efforts. Traditionally, approximately 600 community members participate in the event, which includes a silent auction and a Green School Showcase with more than 20 student presentations – videos, posters, display boards, props, and even hands-on activities – to highlight the environmental education that takes place with monies raised from this event.
The food for the dinner is mostly donated by a local restaurant wholesaler, and eighth grade students cold-call local businesses under the direction and supervision of a teacher to secure donations for the silent auction.
Students, staff, community members and media are invited to attend the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://smspaghetti.weebly.com/.
What: 3rd Annual Green School Spaghetti Dinner
When: Thursday, March 16, 2017
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: 1200 Moores Mill Road
Bel Air, MD 21014