McNear Elementary School

McNear Elementary School integrates environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and ecological literacy into a holistic educational approach rooted in its natural and cultural heritage. Located near the Petaluma River, the school leverages its natural surroundings, including Thompson Creek and diverse habitats, as living classrooms to enhance learning and foster environmental responsibility. Sustainability efforts include recycling and composting programs, drought-resistant landscaping, energy conservation practices, and alternative transportation initiatives. Health and wellness programs feature Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports, on-site mental health services, daily physical education, nutritious meals, and mindfulness activities like nature journaling by the creek. Environmental literacy classes incorporate land acknowledgments, Indigenous stewardship, and interdisciplinary projects such as trout-raising, habitat restoration, and native garden design, blending STEM learning with civic responsibility. Facilities like the McNear Arts and Science Center, Maker Lab, and an expanded library provide students with design spaces to develop environmental solutions through multidisciplinary activities. Partnerships with organizations, their local waste hauler, Safe Routes to School, and local environmental organizations further enhance sustainability and student engagement. These efforts position McNear as a leader in cultivating lifelong resilience, wellness, and sustainability values within the Petaluma City Schools District.