2 Broadcaster Press April 19, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Earth Days Encourages A Green Campus And Community Each April 22, Earth Day unites people around the world in working toward environmental protection and restoration. In Vermillion, the occasion is recognized in a way as unique as it is educational: with a full week of events known to the campus and community as Earth Days. The University of South Dakota’s sustainability program and Greening Vermillion, the community sustainability organization, have devoted April 17-23 to celebrating and protecting the planet. People and businesses can come together to learn about local environmental issues and how to instigate change. “There is a broad understanding that humans are having dramatic, and largely negative, impacts on our environment, and it is easy to feel powerless when faced with such large and complex problems,” said Meghann Jarchow, assistant professor of sustainability at USD, president of the Greening Vermillion board and the event’s overall coordinator. “Through Earth Days we hope to empower the Vermillion population to be positive agents of change for our environment.” Featured guest speaker Jonathan Lundgren, Ph.D., is a research entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. He investigates ecologically based forms of managing insects and weeds and will be on campus to deliver two different presentations on Monday. The first takes place at 1 p.m. in Beacom 244 and will cover his findings on bees and pesticide risk; at 3:30 p.m., he will move to Churchill-Haines 101 to discuss how biodiversity relates to pest problems. This year’s event begins with the Creation Care program on Sunday, which encourages local churches to focus on earth stewardship. Other happenings include showings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday of the documentary film “This Changes Everything,” inspired by Naomi Klein’s bestselling book of the same name about seven communities impacted by climate change; Green Thursday on the Platz; the Earth Day Fair in the Muenster University Center on Friday; and new events such as Ufford Family Farm Fun Day. On Saturday, Greening Vermillion will present its findings on community visions for a more sustainable Vermillion. The organization received a South Dakota Community Foundation Innovation Grant in 2015 and will use Visioning Vermillion, a fun and interactive event, to showcase how the money will be spent. Earth Days T-shirts can be purchased online for $13 through April 13. They will be available for pickup at any of the week’s events where the Sustainability Club will also have a limited number of shirts for sale. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit vermillionearthdays.com. Hartington Tree LLC TREE TRIMMING, REMOVALS & TRANSPLANTING TREES FOR SALE EVERGREEN • SHADE • ORNAMENTAL Yankton 605-260-1490 Hartington 402-254-6710 Serving Southeast SD & Northeast NE for 20 Years Kent & Kyle Hochstein • Licensed Arborists www.hartingtontree.com Johnson Honored As One Of Top Principals In The State shoulders to build that bridge to set them up for a wonderful start to their public education journey. That is a huge task. Kim Johnson, Austin But it is one that the whole Elementary principal was school climate is invested in. recently honored with a nomiAny person that is a part of nation for the South Dakota our staff is a part of our culture Association of Elementary and is tasked with keeping that School Principals (SDAESP) climate fostered.” Distinguished Principal of the She said because the focus year – one of just four princiof Austin Elementary is the pals nominated in the state. early childhood years, they are Part of the National Disable to target their focus. tinguished Principals (NDP) “We are the primary early program, the award was estabeducation building for the dislished to recognize elementary trict,” Johnson said. “What is and middle level principals unique is we have all the pre-K who set high standards for through first graders students experiences should be acknowledged instruction, student achievement, for the whole public school system. to both show appreciation for their character, and climate for the students, work as well as to allow them to serve Most districts don’t have that unique families, and staffs in their learning set up, which I think makes us very speas models for others in the field. communities. cial. It has helped us be able to focus The principal must demonstrate “I was surprised to be nominated,” our growth and initiatives at the early evidence of outstanding contributions Johnson said. “I still feel like a rookie in to the community and to the education interventions and early pre-k level.” so many ways. I am still learning new As of Monday night’s school board profession and should lead a school things every day. I have had so many meeting where the board authorized that: mentors and colleagues who have the hiring of another full-time pre-kin• Is clearly committed to excelhelped me along the way that I still feel dergarten teacher, Austin Elementary lence; I am learning. I have been a principal has two full time Pre-K teachers with • Has programs designed to for six years, but have been in the four half-day sessions of pre-K. They meet the academic and social needs of Vermillion School District for almost 20 have one full-time junior kindergarten all students; and years.” teacher, one full time early special edu• Has firm ties to parents and The distinguished principal program the community. cation teacher, five full time classrooms is based on three fundamental ideas: of kindergarten and four classrooms Johnson said she is very honored • Children’s attitudes towards of first grade and also house two half to be nominated for the award, but she learning and their perceptions of themsessions of Head Start, educating close stresses, it isn’t about her, it is about selves as lifelong learners are estabto 300 students per year. the entire Austin Elementary: teachers, lished in the beginning school years. “We are a very progressive school,” staff, students and parents who have • The scope and quality of Johnson said. “We have researched earned the award. children’s educational experiences are early intervention initiatives and “I am humbled and honed to have determined primarily by the school studied them in other districts, as well been a nominee, but I honestly feel like principal, who establishes, through the as looking at the research. Then, we it is a testament to the high quality of important work of teachers and the have moved forward on programs we education in our district,” she said. “I support of caring parents, the characfeel blessed and privileged to work with feel will be beneficial to our student ter of a particular school’s program. population. With the expansion of the so many talented people every day. So, Junior Kindergarten, adding the SMART an award like this is not a reflection • The therapy room and more, we are always of one person, it’s a reflection on the dedicalooking for ways to move forward.” whole district. tion and The SMART room stands for Stimu“I think we have a true passion for enthusilating Maturity through Accelerated making a difference,” she added. “I Readiness Training is a multi-sensory PRECISION PAINTING asm of know that is so cliché, but it really is approach to learning. •Interior •Exterior the outthe truth. Being the first public school standing The students spend 30 minutes evebuilding for our families, I think we •Commercial principals have a critical responsibility to have ry day at station rotations where they •Residential who are promoting the learning process by this be a welcome environment. We Quality Workmanship, guide becoming more efficient because the want the kids to want to come to Reasonable Rates children’s school. We want the parents to be happrogram stimulates both the left and CLINT TUCKER early right brain simultaneously. py to bring them here. That is on our education “We researched that for two years 624-4621 Since 1983 and have implemented it for four years,” Johnson said. COOL OFF THE FOOTSIES! Other programs Johnson said she is proud of include the New Spring Styles Now Here Tanager Managers. “With the first graders being our oldest kids, we have an opportunity to promote leadership in our six- and seven-year olds,” she said. “We 312 W. 3rd • Yankton • 665-9092 have Tanager Managers on the playground, where they wear an orange vest and carry a clipboard to help with conflict resolution on the playground. They have a script they follow and it is so cute to see them • Great Parts • Great Warranty take on that ownership of playground management.” However, Johnson said everything they are accomplishing By Shauna Marlette shauna.marlette@plaintalk.net Boston Shoes to Boots Ribbon Cutting Celebration! Let The Broadcaster Cox Auto and Plain Talk Make Cash For You! YOUR RADIATOR HEADQUARTERS! On-Hand & In-Stock! NO WAITING! Ufford Hills Ag and Country Market Ufford Hills believes in providing a market where families can come out and have a great time. 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