SUMMARY OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
BUFFER ZONE PROJECT

The buffer zone project was created in 2001 by Mrs. Friedman a math teacher and Cluster Leader at Kent Island High School. She organized the whole school and created a massive buffer zone outside of the school next to the pond….In December if 2003, we lost Mrs. Friedman and we miss her very much…The Peer Leadership class is honored to continue working on the Buffer Zone Project in her honor and we have place a plaque on the buffer zone to dedicate that piece of land to Mrs. Friedman…There is an entire generation of students who loved Mrs. Friedman and will never forget her…

This essay was written by Mrs. Friedman: 

"In the spring of 2001 the Health and Human Services Cluster decided to create buffer zones around the ponds at Kent Island High School. These buffer zones would be the culmination of an interdisciplinary environmental studies project.

In the fall of 2001, several lessons were developed and executed by the members of our cluster. Lessons were created to study the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay, the environmental issues affected by pollutants and toxins, the need for buffer zones and wetlands, the affect of environmental issues throughout history, and the types of Maryland native plants that would be appropriate for our zone. Architectural landscape designs, photographic displays, and children’s stories were created. A math lesson was based on finding how much mulch would be needed for the designated area. Business letters were sent to the local landscapers and nurseries to ask for donations.

Almost all disciplines were involved in this project.

On April 26th 2002, which was Arbor Day, over 300 students, about equally dispersed from every grade level, and approximately 15 teachers and parents dug holes, mixed soil and peat moss together, planted plants, laid the mulch (and lots of it) and watered the plants throughout the day. Everyone worked hard and had a good time. One or our local nurseries, Lowes Bayshore Nursery, helped us tremendously during the day.

This project not only was an example of integrating many disciplines to give the students a real life hands on application of their studies, but it also served as a service learning project for several students.

We had all kinds of kids out there. We had one young man who usually was a trouble maker, take charge and show other kids how to plant, edge, and create trenches to prevent runoff. He had done a lot of this work as part of his job outside of school and felt very comfortable with this project. It was an example of offering students a chance outside the academic classroom to shine.

After the buffer zone was created, several teachers had their students do a reflection, either in writing or verbally, in their classes. All students found it to be a very rewarding experience, especially after they saw the results.

The local newspaper did an article on our project and the Kent Island High School television station is doing a segment on the project."