By Frank Mustac, Contributor
All six schools in the Hopewell Valley district are applying to receive official recognition for going green., School officials announced that paperwork has been submitted to the Sustainable Jersey non-profit organization for Bear Tavern Elementary, Hopewell Elementary, Stony Brook Elementary, Toll Gate Grammar, Timberlane Middle School and Hopewell Valley Central High School to receive certifications as sustainable schools., Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for public schools in the state that “want to go green and conserve resources,” according to the non-profit’s websitesustainablejerseyschools.com ., To receive the certification, schools “implement practices that lead to cost savings in energy, water and garbage bills. The program will help improve efficiency, cut waste and free up money for the classroom. Participating schools and schools districts will be alerted to available grant money and gain access to training, tools and expert guidance.”, “Research shows that sustainable practices positively impact student academic performance. Children learn best when there is good natural classroom light and excellent indoor air quality,” according to the organization. “Sustainable practices help create healthier learning environments that lower illness and absenteeism.”, Hopewell Valley Superintendent Thomas Smith said that submitting applications for all six schools is “higher than our goal.”, “We’re proud of it,” Dr. Smith said., Robert Colavita, business administrator for the school district, said that applying for sustainable certification is a three-step process., The district expects to receive preliminary feedback from the Sustainable Jersey organization sometime this month, with final notification from the non-profit anticipated in August., “So it seems like a lengthy process,” Mr. Colavita said. “We hope to find out as early as February that we’ve earned a certain status and as late as August for all statuses.”, More information about Sustainability Jersey for Schools is available at sustainablejerseyschools.com.
