LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools is committed to a Green School Program that ensures us working with our students, staff, and community to change energy use and environmental awareness habits through education so that we become lifelong learners and ambassadors of the environment. With an average monthly electric bill of $350,000 for 26 schools and three offices, we have a tremendous impact on the environment and the taxpayers. With creativity and conservation, we can do our part to reduce our impact on the environment and to conserve our valuable economic resources. As part of the Green School Program, Dr. Michael Martirano, superintendent of schools, challenged all of the site administrators to have their schools certified as a Maryland Green School by 2013.
The Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) administers the Maryland Green School Awards Program which is a holistic, integrated approach to authentic learning and incorporates local environmental issue investigation and professional development with environmental best management practices and community stewardship. Maryland Green Schools and Centers must be recertified every four years. After three successful recertifications, a school can be granted the title of Model Green School.
Prior to the 2011 application process, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) had eight schools and one green center certified through the MAEOE Maryland Green School Awards Program. These schools/centers are (the date is the year the school was certified or recertified):
