PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Zina McGowan-Thomas , Public Information Officer, 301-475-5511, ext. 193

FOUR ST. MARY ’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE
CERTIFIED AS MARYLAND GREEN SCHOOLS

            LEONARDTOWN , MD -- Benjamin Banneker Elementary School , Chesapeake Public Charter School , Piney Point Elementary School , and White Marsh Elementary School , along with 63 other Maryland schools, make up the 2009 class of newly certified Maryland Green Schools.   The Maryland Green Schools Award Program, developed and administered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), challenges all public and non-public K-12 schools to integrate the environment into all aspects of the school culture including professional development for teachers, curricular integration, modeling of best management practices inside and outside the school, community involvement, and, of course, celebration. On average, it takes a school two years to effectively fulfill the requirements associated with certification.  The MAEOE certification lasts four years, after which a school may apply for recertification. 

            Maryland Green Schools integrate environmental education across all subject areas and grade levels, helping students develop into informed citizens capable of assessing the complex international, national, and local issues they will decide as adults.  Academically, Maryland Green Schools have been proven to outperform non-Maryland Green Schools in math and reading, even when accounting for socio-economic factors.  Additionally, the projects that students design and implement on school grounds and in the community contribute to lowering green house gas emissions, reducing pollutant export to the bay, staunching solid waste disposal, and increasing wildlife habitat. 

            Benjamin Banneker Elementary School , Chesapeake Public Charter School , Piney Point Elementary School , and White Marsh Elementary School will be officially recognized as MAEOE Certified Maryland Green Schools on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Huntingtown High School in Calvert County .  At that time, each school will receive a Maryland Green School flag to be  displayed at their site.  This great honor recognizes creative problem solving by students, strong support by administrators, parents, and community volunteers, and tremendous efforts expended by teachers.

For more information about the Maryland Green School Program, please visit the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education’s website at www.maeoe.org.