JACKSON – All 10 schools in the Jackson School District have met the requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. These schools join a group of 91 schools that achieved the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification in 2017.
“In Ocean County, only 14 schools achieved this certification, and 10 of them are right here in Jackson,” Superintendent of Schools Stephen Genco said. “Our facilities department, our energy education specialist and all of our staff and students should be proud of the ways we are saving money and being environmentally responsible.”
The Jackson Board of Education has recognized Energy Education Specialist John Blair and Facilities Director Ed Ostroff for the efforts of staff and students in earning this distinction, according to a press release.
“As a board, we are proud to approve and support this program, which focuses not only on energy audits and savings, but also on integrating sustainability into student learning,’’ board Vice President Vicki Grasso said. “It is not enough to focus on the ways we can save money; we are proud to be equally committed to educating our students on how they can live in a way that is environmentally responsible.”
Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey, said districts that earned this distinction should be proud their hard work is paying off.
“Becoming certified with Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a significant achievement for schools and their school district,’’ Solomon said. “The number of schools participating in the program is truly remarkable.”
Sustainable Jersey for Schools, a program for kindergarten through 12th grade public schools in New Jersey, is voluntary, according to the press release.
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. More than 2,700 sustainability actions were completed by schools and districts participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program – from performing energy audits and boosting recycling efforts to integrating sustainability into student learning and promoting student and staff wellness, according to the press release.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for public schools in New Jersey. It was launched by Sustainable Jersey, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward municipalities and schools as they pursue sustainability programs, according to the press release.
