Six Calvert County Schools: Appeal Elementary, St. Leonard Elementary, Sunderland Elementary, Windy Hill Elementary, Calvert Middle and Huntingtown High along with 69 other Maryland Schools make up the 2009 class of newly certified Maryland Green Schools. Along with these schools, four Calvert County schools were re-certified as Green Schools: Calvert Elementary, Huntingtown Elementary, Patuxent Elementary and Calvert High. Of our 24 schools, 20 are now certified as Maryland Green Schools.
The Maryland Green Schools Award Program, developed and administered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education challenges schools to integrate the environment into all aspects of the school culture including professional development for teachers, curricular integration, modeling of best management practices inside and outside the school, community involvement, and of course, celebration.
Visit Calvert County’s Green School website for a full list of current Green Schools and details regarding their efforts: www.calvertnet.k12.md.us. This program aims to prepare students for becoming environmental stewards as adults as well as for 21st- century “green” jobs. Additionally, the projects that are implemented within the school buildings and on the school grounds contribute to lowering green house gas emissions, reducing pollutant export to the Bay, staunching solid waste disposal, and increasing wildlife habitat.
“When I hand those Maryland Green School flags (symbol of certification) to the schools, I know without a doubt that Maryland’s future is bright and strong and in good hands.” Said Bronwyn Mitchell, MAEOE’s Executive Director.
These schools will be officially recognized as a MAEOE Certified Maryland Green School on June 2 at a ceremony scheduled to be held at Huntingtown High. At that time they will receive the Maryland Green School flag which will be proudly hoisted at each school. It is a great honor recognizing tremendous effort expended by parents, teachers, administration, students and volunteers.
For more information about the Maryland Green School Program, please visit the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education’s website – www.maeoe.org.