LEXINGTON, Ky. — Months after taking part in lessons through Lexington's environmental education program, students at Glendover Elementary School still remember what they learned about water and why it matters, according to a Fayette County Public Schools report.

The evidence is posted on a table at the school in the form of yellow sticky notes. Students wrote statements such as "I learned about watersheds," "How I can help stop pollution" and "How not to waste water." One student focused on the West Hickman Creek watershed. Another described how pollution affects water quality. Others linked the lessons to recycling, ecosystems and protecting the environment.

The school district's account, drawn from a fuller article published by Live Green Lexington, presents the notes as a sign that the lessons stuck well after the classroom sessions ended. The district did not describe the program's structure or the number of students involved in the material provided.

Cathy Cook, a fifth grade teacher at Glendover, explained her approach to teaching the subject. "I like them to know the world around them," Cook said. "I really want thinkers. I want you to be able to connect the dots."

Stormwater and watershed education are part of a broader local focus on water quality in Fayette County, where runoff from streets, parking lots and lawns can carry pollutants into creeks and streams. Students who learn how their daily choices affect local waterways, the school district's account suggests, can carry those habits into their homes and communities.

The full Live Green Lexington article, which includes additional details about the lessons, is available as a PDF from Fayette County Public Schools.