FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2014
Calvert County Public School (CCPS) system is celebrating yet another year where all CCPS schools are certified as Maryland Green Schools. The Maryland Green School Program fosters an approach that incorporates environmental issue investigation with environmental best management practices, while promoting community awareness and involvement. Through this program, the school is able to cultivate environmental stewardship in the classroom.
The four schools who completed the application for recertification this year were; Barstow Elementary, Mutual Elementary, Northern Middle, and Southern Middle. Each school must report and document their efforts every four years on four of the following best management practices: waste reduction, water conservation and pollution prevention, habitat restoration, energy conservation, responsible transportation, structures for environmental learning, and creating healthy learning environments. Additionally they have to demonstrate the teaching staff is exposed to current environmental topics through professional development opportunities and prove that the environment is used as a context of learning in the classroom.
The application is a timely process that is orchestrated by the Green School Coordinator in each school. These coordinators spend countless hours of their own time devising the plan for their school’s green objectives. They are responsible for soliciting the help of their staff and volunteers from the community. Their involvement is paramount to the success of their school’s green initiative but not without the support of the administrative staff, teaching staff, building service workers, and students. The working relationship is visible when a school’s application is approved. The 100% success rate of CCPS is not without difficulty and is a testament that CCPS is moving towards a sustainable future.
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For more information contact:
Sheila R. Stevens
Green School Specialist
Calvert County Public Schools
410-535-2433 (410) 535-2960