Green Schools
Green School Initiative in Calvert County
Green Schools are schools who have chosen to maintain a healthy environment that can support a successful learning environment while saving energy, valuable resources, and money.
The CCPS Green School program has been embedded in our culture since the start of our CHESPAX Program. The certification of being a Green School was an opportunity that became available through a program run through the Maryland Association of Environmental Outdoor Education (MAEOE) in 1999. The Maryland Green Schools Program is a nationally recognized program that has a significant impact on students and schools. The program is aligned with the goals of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and supports Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements.
Since 1999, each of our K-12 schools have successfully recertified a minimum of four times, achieving a sustainable status or sustainable bronze level, having participated in the program for at least 16 years. We are proud to say that CCPS is the first and only school district in Maryland where 100% of our K-12 schools have reached a sustainable level.
Green School Certification Process
The Green School Application is a process that requires the facilitation of a dedicated person or group of individuals with a passion to cultivate a green climate in their school. Our Green School coordinators must enlist a team at the staff and student level to ensure the application process is a success.
Once the application is complete, it is submitted to MAEOE where it is reviewed by three trained Green School leaders. The commitment and dedication involved is overwhelming and time consuming. There is no prize or monetary award to become green. Our motivation is teaching our students the importance of being a steward of our environment.
Going Green
One of our terrapins raised by our 3rd graders.
PHS Students plant trees with Dominion.
WHMS Green Team painted eight storm drains for their Green School recertification application.
CMS 7th grade students get creative with their amphibian unit. Students had to publicly educate the school & community on the importance of protecting our native amphibians.
Calvert County Citizens Green Team member, Bob Boxwell, assisted DES with their storm drain stenciling. The Functional Skills students painted five drains for the Green School sustainable application.
PPMS Principal, Kelley Adams, and Green School Coordinator, Lisa Spencer, are presented an award by Energy & Environmental Specialist, Sheila Stevens, for conserving energy!
Student in a canoe during a SAV Field Trip.
6th Graders signing.
Two NHS students during a cleanup.
WHMS representing the CCPS Green School initiative at the Calvert County Expo.
Group of students conducting a stream survey.
Student exploring outdoors.
Class at Flag Ponds.
Storm drain painting.
Garden Group.
HHS Green School display.
Farm to Table.