7 Lawrence Schools Earn Bronze Certification From Sustainable Jersey

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Seven schools in the Lawrence Township Public School District have been recognized for their efforts to “go green.” They were among 91 schools to attain some level of certification.

The following schools all achieved Bronze Certification through Sustainable Jersey, the organization announced Monday morning:

• Benjamin Franklin Elementary School;
• Eldridge Park Elementary School;
• Lawrence High School;
• Lawrence Intermediate School;
• Lawrence Middle School;
• Lawrenceville Elementary School; and
• Slackwood Elementary School.

All seven schools and the Lawrence Township Public School District will be honored at a reception held during New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) Workshop 2017 in Atlantic City on Oct. 24. Workshop 2017 will feature Sustainable Jersey for Schools sessions along with NJSBA sustainability support programs for schools.

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.

Each school that is certified at the bronze level must submit documentation to show it has completed a balanced portfolio of the program’s sustainability actions, attaining a minimum of 150 points. Silver-level certification requires a minimum of 350 points of sustainability actions.

In three years, 194 schools have achieved Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. A total of 679 schools and 273 school districts are participating in the program overall.

“As students and teachers head back to school this year, they will learn the good news that their hard work has paid off,” Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon said. “Becoming certified with Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a significant achievement for schools and their school district. The number of schools participating in the program is truly remarkable.”

In addition to NJSBA, Sustainable Jersey’s program partners include New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO), New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), New Jersey Parent Teacher Association (NJPTA), New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), New Jersey School Buildings and Grounds Association (NJSBGA) and The Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey.

“We are proud of the leadership provided by the boards of education and their superintendents, as well as the contributions of principals, teachers, education support professionals and parents, that made this important milestone a reality,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, New Jersey School Boards Association executive director. “We congratulate the schools on achieving Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.”

Patch file photo