SUMMARY:
Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts (AFSIVA) is a small urban public high school located at 1500 Harlem Avenue in
Baltimore, Maryland. The school is named after Augusta Fells Savage, a famous African American sculptor associated with
the Harlem Renaissance. There are currently 387 students enrolled at AFSIVA and 27 classroom teachers.
AFSIVA High School has made great strides in making environment education widespread in all of the disciplines. While green efforts and environmental education has always been incorporated at AFSIVA, in the 2012-2013 school year AFSIVA
created a more structured and rigorous program. This program allowed AFSIVA to swap out their Science and Sustainability course for an Environmental Science courses. The environmental program allowed students to go on countless green field trips to various nature centers in Maryland and the North East region. Students had a chance to volunteer in environmental service learning hour projects in the school and in the neighboring community through partnerships with environmental organizations. AFSIVA wanted to create a culture of green behaviors throughout the building so they created a widespread recycling and energy conservation programs. Every classroom now recycles old papers and paper products. In addition, the Fine Arts classes recycle plastics, paper, and metals to create art work which will be displayed throughout the building. AFSIVA also has an ongoing student lead Green Club that currently consist of 18 members and meets after school everyday.
In the school year 2013-2014, AFSIVA made an effort to advance students and teacher awareness to make decisions and take actions to protect, preserve and learn from the natural environment. Students of AFSIVA have taken on environmental leadership roles by writing to the district council to express their support on the proposed plastic Bill #13-0241 and presented to the BCPSS Board about green initiatives. Students were involved in green projects such as; Bay trash removal, tree planting, water and air quality testing, energy conservation projects, storm drain stenciling, vermi-composting, paper making, climate change research, integrated pest management, and green product preparation (disinfectant, air fresheners, white board cleaner). AFSIVA held a school wide assembly on climate change presented by Alliance for Climate Education (ACE). AFSIVA
staff attended Green professional development opportunities in and out of school.
AFSIVA has already drafted future plans to start an indoor vegetable garden, butterfly garden, and a restoration project. AFSIVA is committed to continuing environmental awareness through education, hands on projects, and community involvement.
Baltimore, Maryland. The school is named after Augusta Fells Savage, a famous African American sculptor associated with
the Harlem Renaissance. There are currently 387 students enrolled at AFSIVA and 27 classroom teachers.
AFSIVA High School has made great strides in making environment education widespread in all of the disciplines. While green efforts and environmental education has always been incorporated at AFSIVA, in the 2012-2013 school year AFSIVA
created a more structured and rigorous program. This program allowed AFSIVA to swap out their Science and Sustainability course for an Environmental Science courses. The environmental program allowed students to go on countless green field trips to various nature centers in Maryland and the North East region. Students had a chance to volunteer in environmental service learning hour projects in the school and in the neighboring community through partnerships with environmental organizations. AFSIVA wanted to create a culture of green behaviors throughout the building so they created a widespread recycling and energy conservation programs. Every classroom now recycles old papers and paper products. In addition, the Fine Arts classes recycle plastics, paper, and metals to create art work which will be displayed throughout the building. AFSIVA also has an ongoing student lead Green Club that currently consist of 18 members and meets after school everyday.
In the school year 2013-2014, AFSIVA made an effort to advance students and teacher awareness to make decisions and take actions to protect, preserve and learn from the natural environment. Students of AFSIVA have taken on environmental leadership roles by writing to the district council to express their support on the proposed plastic Bill #13-0241 and presented to the BCPSS Board about green initiatives. Students were involved in green projects such as; Bay trash removal, tree planting, water and air quality testing, energy conservation projects, storm drain stenciling, vermi-composting, paper making, climate change research, integrated pest management, and green product preparation (disinfectant, air fresheners, white board cleaner). AFSIVA held a school wide assembly on climate change presented by Alliance for Climate Education (ACE). AFSIVA
staff attended Green professional development opportunities in and out of school.
AFSIVA has already drafted future plans to start an indoor vegetable garden, butterfly garden, and a restoration project. AFSIVA is committed to continuing environmental awareness through education, hands on projects, and community involvement.