The Country School is pleased to announce that it has been certified as a 2016 Maryland Green School by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Maryland Green Schools are part of a national and international community of sustainable green schools.
Over the past two years, The Country School has demonstrated and documented a continuous effort to integrate sustainable environmental management practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development opportunities, and community engagement into our daily operations. This award signifies that our school has made a commitment to our students becoming better stewards of our Earth’s resources, developing a better understanding of their own local environment, and reducing the school’s impact on the environment.
The Maryland Green Schools program encourages educational opportunities for preK-12 schools that increase awareness and understanding of environmental relationships that impact public health and the local community. The program is aligned with Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement 2014 goals and supports Maryland State Department of Education graduation,“Students, teachers, school personnel, parents, and community partners are working together to create a positive and lasting environment at school. Their actions are essential to becoming a Maryland Green School,” says Laura Johnson Collard, MAEOE Executive Director.
Students are involved in projects that save energy, reduce waste, and other sustainable practices. Schools are also encouraged to use the school grounds as an extension of the classroom. Getting students outdoors is crucial for their connection with the environment.
“I am proud that the faculty and staff on our Green School Committee have successfully spearheaded the effort to educate and model for our students a respect for the environment,” said Headmaster Neil Mufson. “There have been significant school-wide behavioral changes that we have made that we hope will lead students to see environmental stewardship as MAEOE will celebrate with Green Schools, Green Centers, and schools that are interested in knowing more about the program at the Annual Maryland Green School Youth Summit on May 13, 2016, at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.