MA Environmental Officials Present ‘Green Team’ Award to Peabody

MA Environmental Officials Present ‘Green Team’ Award to Peabody School
Posted on 07/09/2018
green team logoMassDEP Recognizes Young Environmental Stewardship Educational Activities

On June 14, State environmental officials recognized students from 59 schools, including the Peabody School, for outstanding environmental actions as members of the “Green Team,” a statewide environmental education program sponsored by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

“The Baker-Polito Administration congratulates all the Green Team teachers and students who showed leadership and initiative during the past school year to raise environmental awareness at their schools, homes and communities through Green Team activities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “This important educational program helps students take action to protect our natural resources, and brings to life the subjects they are learning in school.”

According to the EEA and DEP, students of any age can participate in the Green Team program, an initiative composed of students who share the goals of reducing pollution and protecting the environment. Over 50,000 students in nearly 300 classes at 267 schools joined the Green Team this school year.

Students took part in a range of activities, including:
  • Expanding school recycling programs;
  • Collecting textiles for donation and recycling;
  • Starting a compost pile using organic waste from the school cafeteria, and using the compost it generates to nourish a garden to grow vegetables;
  • Making their school driveways “Idle-Free Zones”;
  • Increasing energy efficiency in their schools and communities; and
  • Reducing their carbon footprint at school and at home.
These activities incorporated classroom disciplines from the fields of science, engineering and mathematics to reading, writing and art, as well as other non-classroom, interrelated projects.

“Green Team students develop creative approaches to environmental stewardship and make a big difference in their schools and communities with their energy conservation, recycling, composting and pollution prevention projects,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “Each year, Green Team participants are working to have a positive impact on our environment, and take steps to expand recycling and energy efficiency efforts.”

Participating teachers received a Green Team Kit containing classroom posters, lesson plans, recycling tips and access to a library of other resources. In addition, 60 schools received recycling equipment from the Green Team to initiate or expand school recycling programs. Twelve schools received signs reading “Idle-Free Zone” from the Green Team that serve as a visual reminder to drivers to turn off their engines while waiting in the schoolyard.

Participating classes were entered into a drawing for prizes, and 59 classes received prizes for their efforts (full listing below). Nineteen schools won grand prizes, and will receive schoolwide performances by environmental educators Jack Golden, Peter O’Malley and Earthtunes, or gift cards to local garden centers for trees or garden supplies to further “green” their schools.

To learn more or to participate in the 2018-19 school year, the 17th year for the Green Team, teachers may sign up online here.
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