Tina Bessias
Author's posts
Oct 30
No Ocean of Plastic
Last week I had a coaching session with Jaimie Cloud, who is advising DA about our curriculum and culture for sustainability. Our conversation was helpful on multiple fronts, but one detail particularly stuck with me. Jaimie mentioned the widely quoted finding that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. For …
Oct 25
What We Mean by Sustainability
When the students in last year’s Environmental Sustainability class made a pitch to the Administrative Team, they asked that DA make a public commitment to sustainability. The Innovation Journey Grant is enabling us to move toward such a commitment for both operations and curriculum. In the meantime, however, the Sustainability Leadership Team took up the …
Sep 28
How low can we go? Reducing trash at concessions stand
By Ann Leininger, DA Parents Council Sustainability Liaison Following the lead of the Middle School, parents in charge of the athletics concession stand near the tennis courts set up a waste management station to help customers minimize the waste that goes to landfills. Gatorade bottles, pizza boxes, snack packages, and plastic film (from the cases …
Aug 06
An Innovation Journey begins…
SustainABLE DA, fueld by an Innovation Journey grant, launches August 9-10 with forty-five teachers, administrators, staff members, Parents Council representatives, and Upper School student leaders working together in Horton Hall to create a shared vision. The effort is being led by Jaimie Cloud, who has been fostering Education for Sustainability (EfS) in public and private …
Jul 29
Coming soon to a classroom near you!
DA Upper School elective course, fall 2022 Instructor: Tina Bessias, DA Sustainability Coordinator and Independent Study Coordinator Students in this course will be at the center of Durham Academy’s transition to environmental sustainability. Whether you are new to sustainability or an experienced leader, you will grow your knowledge base and develop skills that are much in …
Apr 20
It’s all happening: Earth Week update
120 members of the class of 2022 are doing 50+ projects (with a bit of assistance from upperclassmen) Thursday, April 21 will be the 1st ever DA Sustainability Fair!
Apr 18
Earth Week 2022
The Class of 2025 and the Sustainability Committee invite you to participate in the world’s largest secular celebration! Participate on campus: Tuesday–create a trash mural, start the 72 hour Vegan Challenge Wednesday–turn off lights wherever you can, help make chalk art in the quad, sign up for a Climate Change Workshop Thursday–participate in the Sustainability …
Nov 15
US Sustainability Committee Helps the Turkey Trot Go Green!
By Ann Leininger, DA Parents Council Sustainability Liaison Special thanks to the US Sustainability Committee who helped the Parents Association host a green event this past weekend. Students performed a waste stream analysis to determine the types of waste that would be generated during the Turkey Trot. They determined the best management method for each …
Oct 15
Seminar: Trees in the Forest, City, and Campus
Friday, November 5, 8:15-3:00 Upper School and 8th Grade Students may apply This event is offered by the Durham Academy Seminar Program, which creates opportunities for students to learn about topics of current interest that are not part of the regular curriculum. This fall the focus is on trees. Why? They’re Earth’s largest, longest living …
Oct 04
Parents Council seeks to Minimize Waste
Collaborates with student Sustainability Committee By Ann Leininger, DA Parents Council Sustainability Liaison This school year, Parents Council volunteers are excited to get back to what we do best: planning events for our entire DA community to attend. The Turkey Trot, Used Book Sale and Picnic give families an opportunity to connect and engage with …