Ocean City Intermediate School Receives $10K Grant

A former Ocean City Intermediate student suggested their classrooms embrace a system that will allow indoor plant growth without the use of soil. That vision took one step closer to reality, as the Intermediate school received a $10,000 grant for a gardening program and sustainability education.

Ocean City Intermediate was one of 47 schools to receive a Sustainable Jersey grant funded by the New Jersey Education Association, Sustainable Jersey for Schools announced Tuesday. Eleven schools received $10,000 grants. The grant aims to let students and teachers launch an expanded classroom gardening program and club to support sustainability education and healthy eating habits.

The school received the grant on the heels of winning the first half of the Cape May County Plastic Film Recycling Challenge, sponsored by the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, officials said.

“The Ocean City Intermediate School proudly boasts a bronze-level Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification, which we have achieved with support from almost $60,000 in grants to support health and wellness, environmental and safety initiatives to benefit our students, staff, and families,” Ocean City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Taylor said in a statement.

Science teacher Cory Terry said a former student suggested these indoor plant-growth programs.

"I look forward to the project and utilizing the knowledge and experiences of high school students," Terry said in a statement.

Photo provided by Ocean City Schools