Lawrence Middle School Receives $2K Sustainability Grant

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Lawrence Township Middle School received a $2,000 Green Achievers grant from Sustainable Jersey, the organization announced this week.

The grant will be used to coordinate green team activities among the district's secondary schools to achieve Silver Certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. Each school will construct a Sustainable School Portfolio to collaborate with one another and track progress.

The grant was funded by the PSEG Foundation, and was part of a total of $100,000 in grants awarded by Sustainable Jersey for Schools. It was one of 20 $2,000 grants. Six $10,000 grants were also awarded.

"Since registering with Sustainable Jersey for Schools and subsequently having all seven schools earn bronze certification, our students and staff have sharpened their focus on being more respectful of our environment,” Lawrence Township Public School District Acting Superintendent Andrew Zuckerman said. “Receiving various Sustainable Jersey Grants has allowed us to strengthen our sustainability efforts across the district.”

Proposals were evaluated by an independent Blue Ribbon Selection Committee. The Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants are intended to help school districts and schools make progress toward a sustainable future in general, and specifically toward Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. Currently 300 districts and 745 schools have registered to work toward Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.

“It’s a great honor to support schools and school districts that are doing the important work of integrating sustainability into student learning around the state,” Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon said, extending his congratulations to all of the schools and districts that received grants. “These projects have a significant impact on New Jersey’s sustainability goals and will directly benefit the students.”

The PSEG Foundation has contributed over one million dollars in funding to the Sustainable Jersey Grants Program.

“We are proud to partner with Sustainable Jersey, an organization bringing about real positive change for our state, to support and help fund projects that provide sustainable neighborhoods, economic development and STEM education,” PSEG Foundation President Barb Short 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