Triton Named Green Ribbon School for 2016

Gloucester Township, NJ -- One of the Black Horse Pike Regional School District’s schools has been recognized for its commitment to the environment.

Triton Regional High School has been selected as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School, Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced on Friday.

It becomes the fifth school in the state to be recognized. It is the second district school to be recognized in as many years.

Timber Creek was a 2015 Green Ribbon School honoree.

Green Ribbon Schools are selected for their efforts to protect and preserve the environment through projects and awareness, and for improving the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff.

Triton’s efforts have included:

• the production of a video for usage on the school’s newscasts to an audience of 1,175 students on how to compost;
• growing vegetables in a greenhouse that were then distributed to neighboring districts for school meals;
• the creation of an organic garden on school grounds;
• Its use of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting; and
• The recently installed new boilers to reduce the school’s carbon footprint.

The 246,000 square foot school that was built in 1957 also received an Energy Star rating, which makes it 86% more efficient than other school buildings in North America.

“What a great way for us to celebrate this Earth Day,” Norcross said. “The students and staff at Triton Regional High School haven’t just ‘gone green,’ they’re leading the rest of the state and the nation by their good example on how to be responsible stewards for the planet. I applaud them for all their hard work.”

“It’s an honor to receive this award,” Triton Principal Melissa Sheppard said. “I have to credit my students and faculty for the time and effort they put into learning how to protect our environment. I’m proud of them all .”

The four other New Jersey schools to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as Green Ribbon Schools this year are: Whitehouse School in Whitehouse Station, Egg Harbor Township High School in Egg Harbor Township, Essex County West Caldwell Tech in West Caldwell, and Raritan Valley Community College in North Branch.

Read the entire U.S. Department of Education announcement here.

The attached image was provided by the office of Rep. Donald Norcross.