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Dekalb County School District

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Education Engagement Outreach

📚 Education, Engagement & Outreach

By 2029, the DeKalb County School District will increase sustainability education, student engagement, and community outreach by integrating sustainability into classroom instruction and district initiatives, empowering students, staff, and community partners to support environmental stewardship.

Supports DCSD Strategic Goals

Goal 1 – Student Academic Success with Equity and Access
Goal 2 – School, Family, and Community Engagement
Goal 3 – Recruit, Develop, and Retain Talent

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 04 – Quality Education
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Priority Areas

Sustainability Curriculum Integration
Green Team Leadership
Student Clubs and Organizations
Sustainability Engagement Events and Campaigns
Community Sustainability Outreach and Partnerships

Key Actions

Sustainability Curriculum Integration

Sustainability concepts are incorporated into classroom instruction and experiential learning opportunities across grade levels.

  • Develops environmental literacy and stewardship among students.
  • Connects classroom learning with real-world sustainability challenges.
  • Integrate environmental components into STEM/STEAM education to support sustainability career pathways.
  • Encourage students to become responsible global citizens.

Green Team Leadership

DCSD Green Teams lead sustainability efforts at the school level, with formalized roles, regular meeting schedules, and structured initiatives that actively engage students and staff in sustainability-related decision-making.

Provides training and leadership, shares educational resources and toolkits, supports districtwide sustainability campaigns, engages in networking opportunities for schools, and participates in recognition programs highlighting sustainability achievements.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Student Government Association, National Honor Society, 4H, and other school environmental groups support ongoing educational efforts throughout the district. These clubs focus directly on environmental stewardship through school garden projects, campus beautification, recycling and waste reduction programs, and environmental education and advocacy activities.

Sustainability Engagement Events and Campaigns

  • DCSD supports annual Earth Day and Green Week events that provide sustainability education, awareness campaigns, and hands-on activities for students and staff.
  • Sustainability-focused events and field trips provide students with hands-on learning experiences that build understanding of environmental stewardship, resource conservation, and a wide range of sustainability practices.

Community Sustainability Outreach and Partnerships

Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and community stakeholders to expand sustainability outreach, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and increase student, staff, and community engagement in districtwide environmental initiatives.

Progress & Tracking

Green Teams have been established in 27 DeKalb County schools for FY 2026 actively supporting all 10 DCSD sustainability initiatives.
Community in Service (CIS) partners with the Atlanta Area Food Bank supporting food distribution programs for students and families with food insecurities in DCSD.
Georgia Safe Routes to School supports programs that encourage walking and biking to school, promoting healthier transportation and reducing emissions.
Atlanta Community Food Bank and GOOD’r food donation and recovery partners with DCSD SAFE Centers and school programs to distribute food to families experiencing food insecurity.
Higher Education & Research Partnerships support sustainability education, workforce development, and research collaboration.
Friends of Refugees in Clarkston offers community engagement and social sustainability education programs.
Fernbank Science Center provides science labs, planetarium programming, and outdoor woodland learning spaces for students.
DeKalb Recycles participates in a DCSD program to provide equipment and signage to support recycling, waste diversion, and reduction in DeKalb schools.