Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary School in Fuquay-Varina has been named a 2025 Top Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America (MSA).
This is not the first time the school has been recognized for its magnet program. On Earth Day 2024, Lincoln Heights was selected to host the kick-off event for North Carolina's revised State K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP). Lincoln Heights was chosen for the release because the original Environmental Literacy Plan was used to develop the school's “environmental connections” magnet theme and curriculum.
"Lincoln Heights made the vision of the Environmental Literacy Plan a reality, and the Magnet Schools of America recognition strengthens its role as a model for schools across the state and nation," notes Lisa Tolley, Environmental Education Program Manager for the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. "It’s so exciting to see the plan come to life in the classroom, the community and on the school grounds. The students here are making observations, conducting investigations and developing important critical thinking skills needed to solve the the environmental challenges facing our state.
The first K-12 environmental literacy plan was released in 2010 at Wiley Elementary in Raleigh with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Governor Josh Stein--then a state senator--among those in attendance. Since then, the ELP has provided guidance to schools and nonformal educators for increasing environmental literacy and preparing students for environmental and STEM careers. The Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, a part of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, developed the original and revised ELP in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the nonprofit Environmental Educators of North Carolina, based on feedback and input from teachers, agencies, organizations, universities and colleges, nonformal educators and program partners from across the state.
While the ELP provides important guidance, the success of the school depends on the dedication of parents, teachers, administration and staff. Laura Wood, the school’s environmental connections integration specialist and Annette Steele, the Academically Gifted and Talented teacher, are both North Carolina Certified Environmental Educators through the Department of Environmental Quality. These teachers have nurtured important relationships with state agencies, professionals in STEM fields, and environmental educators, which demonstrates how important professional development is for academic success and innovative teaching strategies. In 2024, Wood shared the story of Lincoln Heights in this Earth Day Lunchtime Discovery Livestream Show.
Lincoln Heights will formally receive their National Magnet School of Excellence Merit Award during a ceremony held during the Magnet Schools of America’s National Conference on April 7-10, 2025, in Nashville. Magnet School of Excellence Awards are only given to a select group of magnet schools. To learn more about the national merit awards program, please visit magnet.edu.
The North Carolina Environmental Literacy Plan and supporting implementation guides can be found at www.eenorthcarolina.org/resources/k-12-environmental-literacy. This guiding document can be used by public, charter, and private schools, as well as homeschools and other programs and groups that provide k-12 education in North Carolina.
Lincoln Heights Magnet Elementary School is a North Carolina Public School in the Wake County Public School System. Learn more about their environmental connections programs and curriculum on their website.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments to this site are subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Please identify yourself in posts. Off-topic posts, "spam" or posts with offensive or inappropriate language will be removed.