DNR Secretary Announces Green School Award Winners
LAUREL, MD — Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary C. Ronald Franks today announced the 2004 Green School Awards at a ceremony at the National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel.
Secretary Franks recognized the achievements of 16 Maryland Schools that have met the criteria for becoming a Green School by using the environment as an integral part of instructional programming, implementing best environmental practices in operation and design of the school grounds or facilities; and extending learning into the community through projects that address local environmental issues.
“The ultimate goal of environmental education is to develop informed citizens who are willing and able to take action to resolve environmental issues,” Secretary Franks said. “Today we honor the schools, teachers, students and principals who set an example for how to accomplish this goal.”
The impact of Green School instruction has far reaching benefits both for the environment and student learning:
As part of their recognition, each school will receive a Green School Flag, presented by Ed Davis of Constellation Energy Group, a Tree from TREE-Mendous Maryland, presented by Terry Galloway of DNR. All Green Schools, as long as they maintain their status, have the opportunity for a 1:1 match on their future tree orders (limit 25 free trees/season) compliments of Tree-Mendous Maryland. Also presenting is Kate Clavijo, director of MAEOE. Schools will also receive a county executive citation and a Governor’s citation. The list of schools recognized follows:
- Teachers and school administrators report that a green school approach to learning has a tremendous impact on student interest in teacher moral, student attendance and overall student learning.
- According to a recent analysis, students from Green Schools scored significantly higher on a standardized reading and math achievement test than students from non Green Schools, even after accounting for student differences.
Additionally, 15 schools were recognized for maintaining their Green School status for three years. These schools each received a check for $100, a plaque of recognition and a certificate from Living Classrooms Foundation to participate on a living Classrooms boat trip.
- Davidsonville Elementary School, Anne Arundel County
- Father Colby School, Archdiocese Baltimore City
- The Harbour School, Baltimore County
- Lutherville Laboratory School, Baltimore County
- Shiloh Middle School, Carroll County
- Liberty High School, Carroll County
- The Jemicy School, Baltimore County
- Calvert Country School, Calvert County
- Calvert High School, Calvert County
- West Nottingham Academy, Cecil County (Private)
- Forest Hill Elementary, Harford County
- C. Milton Wright High School, Harford County
- Harve de Grace Middle School, Harford County
- High Point High, Prince George’s County
- John Hanson Montessori South, Prince George’s County
- Patuxent Elementary School, Prince George’s County
Posted June 9, 2004