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The students, teachers and parents from Dennett Road Elementary in Garrett County stood and cheered as their photographs flashed on the large screen in the Catonsville Community College Theater during the Annual Green Schools Awards Ceremony. So did the groups from Western Heights Middle School in Washington County, W.E.B. Dubois High School in Baltimore City, St. Johns Parish Day School in Howard County, and Oakville Elementary School in St. Mary’s County. What were they doing in the pictures? They were captured putting in gardens and wetlands, building birdhouses, cleaning up debris, teaching, painting, and recycling.
On May 31, the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators
(MAEOE) presented the 2006 Green Schools Awards to schools from all over the
state for their efforts to enhance the environment. Secretary of the Environment
Kendl P. Philbrick was a presenter, along with Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, and
Dr. Nancy Grasmick, the keynote speaker and State Superintendent of Schools.
Also attending were Frank Dawson Assistant Secretary of the Department of
Natural Resources, Terry Galloway with the Maryland Tree-Mendous Program in the
Department of Natural Resources and Ed Davis with Constellation Energy Group.
First Objective
The Green School Awards are presented annually to schools throughout Maryland who meet the criteria and objectives to be labeled a Green School, including the following:
- Curriculum and Instruction - A Green School must have a Curriculum and Instruction dealing with an environmental issue investigation. Some of the criteria require students to examine and evaluate data, read articles to keep them informed on issues, make observations and keep journals.
- Professional Development - Workshops for teachers providing training on environmental issues.
- Celebration - Students plan and implement a dedication program for the project they participated in where the school, staff, parents, partners and members of the community attend.
Second Objective
A second objective would be to monitor the operation and design of a school building and grounds. Some examples include:
- Water conservation and pollution control - installing low-flow water devices in school sinks or evaluating erosion at a school site.
- Conservation - saving electricity in the school, handling of solid waste, composting (leftovers at lunch), recycling or safe chemical use in the school (such as what cleaners are used and alternatives).
- Habitat Restoration - implementing habitat restoration on the grounds including identifying no mow zones and building structures such as bluebird boxes or outdoor study areas.
- Implement ride share programs - carpooling to and from school and after school activities.
- Monitor drinking fountains - monitoring for lead content and report back to the principal and school board.
Third Objective - Creating School and Community Partnerships
Students work with the local Chamber of Commerce, Master Gardeners, U.S Fish and Wildlife, Boy Scouts of America, or other group to complete projects.
Each school must then document activities accomplished over a 2-year period to be eligible to be named a Green School. Schools must reapply to be a Maryland Green School every three years by submitting a short description/documentation of ongoing Green School activities
“I am really impressed with the amount of new Green Schools this year and hope this trend continues into the future,” said Secretary Philbrick.
This year, there were 23 newly certified Green Schools, the most ever, and 11 schools were recertified. The students and teachers were presented the awards and had their photos taken with the presenters. Special recognition awards were also given to the MAEOE members who worked tirelessly throughout the year.
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