SD1 Partners with KYTC to Bring Drainage Improvements Along Rt. 9

SD1 and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) are working Route 9 Storm Sewer Improvement Project together to improve drainage in Newport as part of KYTC’s State Route 9 realignment project.

The project includes the construction of 388 linear feet of separate storm sewer along Route 9 and extending through the earthen levee to discharge directly to the Licking River. SD1 will construct various access structures and gates to keep the Licking River from backing up into the storm pipe when the river level is elevated.

Read More:  https://www.sd1.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=46 

Splash McClean's COVID Cartwheel!

Like most of life, SD1’s school program did a big cartwheel at the start of the pandemic in March. It was immediately evident that we had to adapt our standard education program to meet the changing needs of schools, students and parents as educators and families transitioned to Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI). Immediately, Team Splash swam into action lining up team calls and teacher surveys to gauge which program resources were needed most and how we could help our school partners in environmental education succeed during very uncertain times. 

Crucial tasks were quickly identified and prioritized. Without delay, a brand new (fully-accessible from home) environmental education unit was developed, and within two weeks it was shared with 36 schools in the program. The adapted unit was a success, with over 90% of registered schools fulfilling the full program requirements by the end of the school year.  

Without a doubt, the pandemic prompted an unforeseen creative experiment on SD1’s school program, but the result is a permanently enhanced versatile environmental education experience.

Swimming into Next Year

Team Splash swims on! In May, 37 schools eagerly registered for the 2020-2021 school program. Registration was converted to a virtual platform for the first time, something we’ve been excited to try, and there was no better time to pilot. With another unique school year in the forecast, SD1 committed to providing an impactful learning experience regardless of in-person or at-home instruction. 

We spent the summer reviewing teacher feedback, gleaning school news, partnering internally and working on program enhancements to ensure the updated environmental unit proved flexible and of course fun. Environmental education experiments and experiences were pre-recorded, interactive presentations were created and virtual tours were developed. 

Splash Surfs the Web

With SD1’s new website in the works, Team Splash strategized to build a Teacher Toolkit page to make finding a plethora of school program resources (over 70 total) a breeze for teachers. With a variety of teaching scenarios in-play, we wanted to grant teachers the ability to access exactly what they needed anytime they needed it. Additionally, new website tools provided opportunities to creatively communicate with teachers using CivicPlus features—delivering a more visual newsletter experience when sending important announcements.

Teachers and families were also encouraged to access more storm water education resources on the “Activities and Education” page of the website. Splash coloring sheets, crosswords, mazes and scavenger hunts, all developed as part of SD1’s “Water Wednesdays with Splash” social media campaign, were shared to emphasize how we can all be part of the solution to storm water pollution.  

Zooming with Splash

School is back in session and Splash is ready to Zoom in to show off the Enviroscape model! School visitor restrictions remain in place, but video conferencing is providing its own opportunities for engagement with students, whether they are learning from their classroom desk or their kitchen table at home. Kids seem to get a kick out of the new props too—a dancing stuffed otter, and a bubbly fish windsock who likes to swim in front of the camera, as well as a peculiar plush frog that enjoys peeking in from time to time at the bottom of the screen. With our first few Zoom sessions wrapped up, it is evident obstacles during a pandemic can’t squash the enthusiasm students have for learning about their natural environment and the important role they play in it. 

Soon a virtual field trip experience will be available to participating schools—providing a reflective experience similar to our established Virtual Public Service Park Tour visiting 10 BMP sites on the property. Students will have an opportunity to examine what happens as an imaginary drop of water makes its journey from the vegetated rooftop to the flowing creek below. 

Team Splash is a collective effort stretching beyond the Water Resources department with ongoing commitments and cordial cooperation across many departments at SD1—THANK YOU to ALL involved in making SD1’s school programming a continued success! 

Fire Prevention Week: Oct. 4-10
Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen

• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Thanksgiving is the leading day for fires involving cooking equipment.  
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.  
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly and stay in the home. 
• Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it’s cool.  
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.
• Loose clothing can hang down onto stove burners and catch fire. Wear short, closefitting, or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.  

• Smoke alarms detect and alert people to a fire in the early stages. Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire.  
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. 
• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. 
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.  

• Drawing a map of each level of the home, showing all doors and windows  
• Going to each room and pointing to the two ways out.
• Making sure someone will help children, older adults, and people with disabilities wake up and get out. 
• Teaching children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.
• Establishing a meeting place outside and away from the home where everyone can meet after exiting.
• Having properly installed and maintained smoke alarms.
• Pushing the smoke alarm button to start the drill.
• Practicing what to do in case there is smoke: Get low and go. Get out fast.
• Practicing using different ways out and closing doors behind you as you leave.  
• Never going back for people, pets, or things.
• Going to your outdoor meeting place.
• Calling 911 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone.

• Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months.
• Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires.
• All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters. 
• Purchase and use only portable space heaters listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Have a qualified professional install heating equipment.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year.