A Philosophy of Change

In order to truly affect change, it is important to relate environment concerns to student lives in a meaningful way. We can teach content standards through non-traditional choices in our subject areas. If a student can see how what they do matters. Changed habits and negative practices harming our environment can then stop. Choosing different material to achieve ones content area aims while also connecting to create better awareness is our new approach. Our language arts program has committed to develop this worthwhile new direction.

Environment Conscientious Fiction: Language Arts

Three novels were incorporated into the ENGLISH 1 curriculum to promote conscientiousness of environmental issues. Both novels by Lee Welles will be used on the fall on a rotating year basis-WAY OF WATER and ENTER THE EARTH. In both novels, the main protagonist is approached by the character of Gaia who represents the earth as a living organism. She recruits an environmentally open minded young person to help her “save the earth.” In WAY OF WATER, Gaia needs help with a need to preserve the ocean ecosystem and in ENTER THE EARTH, the focus is on a farming community.

In the spring semester, the novel ISLANDS by Jacob Sackin is used which focuses on the earth in a fictional future ravaged by global warming. Two worlds are created-one inside a man made pyramid and the outside inhabitants who are in a dangerous outside world. It follow a society as it might exist in a world which has almost become uninhabitable.

DEN 2 Watch Program Advisors

Two teachers in our Den-Thomas May (Math) and Greg Tucker (English) participated in the WATCH program this summer.  Watsonville Area Teens Conserving Habitats. During the 2009-2010 school year, they will be advising PVHS students who participated with them in a year long research project involving a preservation of the wetlands.  Each student team will decide on a problem area, research it, and develop action plans.

For a view of the student teams focuses, see the links below:

OCEAN GUARDIAN SCHOOL

PVHS has received a grant to support an effort to enhance protection of the marine sanctuary.  Part of this is to create a better awareness and commitment to lessen trash, promote recycling, and beginning a composting practice in our newly created organic garden on campus.  Field trips and support from Lifelab in educating teachers and students on practices that promote sustainability are the goals.