METUCHEN — Three schools — Metuchen High School, Edgar Middle School and Campbell Elementary School — have been recognized for their efforts in sustainability.
“I am very proud of the work by our Green Teams at our schools,” Schools Superintendent Vincent Caputo said. “In collaboration with our parents, the Metuchen Public Schools have made a commitment to sustainability and best practices.”
Sustainability is one of the organizing principles for Metuchen’s six district goals.
On October 24, the three Metuchen schools joined 91 other Sustainable Jersey certified schools and their districts as they were celebrated at a reception held during the New Jersey School Boards Association Workshop 2017 in Atlantic City.
A total of 694 schools and 279 school districts are currently participating in the program overall.
Campbell Elementary School Principal Ed Porowski said their school’s participation in the program helps them “focus on doing things today, so that we will have a positive impact on our tomorrow.”
“Actions always speak louder than words, so we are proud of the actions we are taking to make our school and community more sustainable,” he said.
Edgar Middle School Principal, Kevin McPeek said Sustainable Jersey has become embedded in the culture of Edgar Middle School.
“This recognition is a great reflection of the hard work and dedication of the staff and students,” he said. “We thank Sustainable Jersey for School for this acknowledgement and look forward to our continued work in this area.”
Sustainable Jersey for Schools, a program for kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in New Jersey, is voluntary, but achieving certification is not easy.
There is a bronze level and silver level certification. The Metuchen Schools earned bronze level certifications. More than 2,700 sustainability actions were completed by schools and districts participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program from performing energy audits and boosting recycling efforts to integrating sustainability into student learning and promoting student and staff wellness.
Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey, said becoming certified with Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a significant achievement for schools and their school district.
“The number of schools participating in the program is truly remarkable,” he said.
Lawrence S. Feinsod, executive director of New Jersey School Boards Association, said they are proud of the leadership provided by the Boards of Education and their superintendents, as well as the contributions of principals, teachers, education support professionals and parents in making the certifications a reality.
For more information visit www.SustainableJerseySchools.com.