Mayo Elementary Earns Second Green School Certification

earned its second official Maryland Green School certification for its conservation efforts.

The school was one of four to be recertified by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Eleven new schools earned the designation this year from the (MAEOE).

For Mayo Elementary , the recognition serves as a testament to the school's staff and its environmental club.

"Becoming a green school has become a part of our everyday culture here. Efforts are made every day to educate children on the impact they have on the environment," Greubel said. "This is a testimony to [The Mayo Elementary Environmental Club] and its dedication."

The school offers a variety of programs to give children hands-on learning experiences, ranging from a schoolwide recycling program to partnering with the  (SRF).

Beginning in 2012, students at the school's environmental club took part in the Maryland Grows Oysters Program with the SRF and plan to continue the partnership throughout the future. 

For Greubel, the real reward comes when students take what they learn and apply it outside of the classroom.

"It's impacting lives through everyday life that's going to reach beyond the school house," Greubel said. "That's going to be an impact of how students carry on beyond their days here at Mayo Elementary—not just here but with the community." 

There are now 52 education facilities in the county with the designation, according to a press release from Anne Arundel County Public Schools. 

To earn Green School status, a school must go through a two-year process of establishing a program for environmental awareness. Efforts often include recycling, conservation programs and other activities designed to encourage "green" thinking.

This is the third year in a row that 11 county schools earned Green School certification.

This year's schools are:

• Cape St. Claire, Crofton Woods, Fort Smallwood, Maryland City and Richard Henry Lee elementary schools
• Meade and Severn River middle schools
• Chesapeake and Southern high schools
• Marley Glen School
• J. Albert Adams Academy

Along with , Broadneck High School earned recertification, while West Annapolis Elementary School earned a second recertification. Shipley's Choice Elementary School earned certification as a "model" green school after being recertified a third time.