Fifth and sixth graders from around Illinois will be guests of honor March 25 when the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency hosts an awards reception from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Two students, Kendyl Lyons, Sidell, Jamaica Elementary School, and Julia Markotay, Sparta, Sparta Lincoln Middle School, had entries in both the poster and written competitions make it into the finalist category. At the end of a two week focus on the importance of safe drinking water and steps to protect it, the students were asked to create posters or written works illustrating what they had learned.
Emphasis rotates on a three year basis between water, land and air.
The curriculum is currently being revised to meet the standards of the North American Association for Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. The updated version will be available for the 2000-2001 school years. The youngsters, their families and teachers have been invited to the reception. A list of all finalists, their hometowns and schools, follows. Mulberry Grove Elem.