Reeds Road Elementary School Receives $2K Grant From Sustainable Jersey For Schools

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ —Reeds Road Elementary School in Galloway Township is one of 30 schools statewide that received a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant funded by the PSEG Foundation, Sustainable Jersey announced Wednesday morning. Four additional schools were awarded $10,000 grants, including the Ocean City Primary School; John Brainerd Elementary School in Mount Holly, Burlington County; South Orange Middle School in Essex County; and Hedgepeth-Williams Middle School in Trenton. Proposals for this round of grants were evaluated by an independent Blue Ribbon Selection Committee.

Reeds Road Elementary School will use the grant for Bubba’s Outdoor Classroom. The school will create an outdoor classroom using previously funded composting bins, rain barrels, plants, a storage shed, raised beds and newly funded seating and tables for students.

"Reeds Road School is thrilled that we have received a grant from Sustainable Jersey Schools,” Second Grade Teacher and Reeds Road Sustainability Chairperson Donna McAvoy said. “This grant will allow us to add seating to our outdoor classroom. With this grant, our students will be afforded the opportunity to learn outside about composting, rain harvesting, recycling, nutrition and gardening.”

Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program available for New Jersey public schools that want to go green, conserve resources, and take steps to create a brighter future. The nonprofit provides tools, training, and financial incentives to support and reward districts as they pursue sustainability programs.

“To be an innovative state, we must support our teachers, administrators and their respective communities as they shape the future of their students and schools for years to come,” Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon said. “Grant funding will build capacity as schools embark on sustainability projects that directly benefit the students.”

The PSEG Foundation has contributed over $1 million in funding to the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program.

“We are proud to partner with Sustainable Jersey to support and help fund projects that provide sustainable neighborhoods, economic development and STEM education to empower a brighter future,” PSEG Foundation President Ellen Lambert said. “By supporting sustainable education in schools, we can help guide children and engage entire communities in the ways to help transform the environment.”

Patch file photo