Central Elementary School third-grade teacher Dana Perdue Manojlovic has always had an appreciation for the Chesapeake Bay.
“I grew up in Salisbury and spent a lot of time at the beach, and learned that the environment was in trouble,” said the Anne Arundel teacher. “You could see the way the Bay changed color.”
Now, she is sharing this passion to preserve the area landmark with her students.
This year, Manojlovic, who?s in her seventh year of teaching at the Edgewater school, received a $2,000 grant from the Milken Family Foundation, a California-based group that funds school-based community service projects nationwide.
With the “Better Days for the Bay” money, students will pick up litter at Selby Beach and possibly Mayo Beach in October and November. Plans also include putting mulch down between the elementary school and South River High School.
Later in the school year, students will share ideas with businesses about how to help the environment and will be planting trees and creating a rain garden at the school.
“Dana was selected, because she was an award-winning educator with our foundation and had a very comprehensive idea,” said Greg Gallagher, program administrator for the Milken Festival of Youth, the school initiative of the foundation.
“Our goal for kids is to have them start helping the community and continue doing so throughout their life.”
In 2006, Manojlovic was awarded a 2006 Milken Award and $25,000 prize for her numerous extracurricular activities and leadership, such as serving as a new teacher liaison and faculty council chairwoman. School staff and parents played a part in giving her recommendations.
Manojlovic was one of 22 people Milken awarded community-oriented grants, all worth up to $8,000 each.
Fourth-grader Nicholas Smith, 9, said he was excited to be part of the initiative. He was chosen to speak in front of all his classmates for the program?s kickoff celebration this week.
“I liked my speech, because I really want to save the Bay,” he said.
To show their support, the students signed a pledge to purchase an energy-saving light bulb to use at home, Manojlovic said.
Manojlovic learned that just one energy-efficient bulb could prevent greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
“It?s just about the mindset you have every day,” said Manojlovic. “There are things you can do every day, like turning off the lights when you?re not home.”
