From the Science Teacher:

Gibson Island Country School was rewarded with the distinction of being a Maryland Green School in 2006. This is a notable honor and was achieved by the dedicated work of parents, friends, teachers, staff and students of the GICS community.

The Green School application that was submitted is now located in the main office for all to enjoy.

I thought you may be interested to know what the Maryland Green Schools Award Program is, how it is achieved, and what are the incentives for becoming a Green School.

Below is a brief description, but for further information go to www.maeoe.org.

Since 1999, the Maryland Green Schools Program, administered by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), has recognized Maryland public and private schools K-12 that: use their school site and curricular instruction to prepare students to understand and act on current and future environmental challenges facing all Marylanders, model environmental best management practices in building and landscape design and operation, build and maintain partnerships with the local community to enhance environmental learning and to design and implement projects and programs that result in a healthier environment.

To qualify for Green School status a school must submit an application that documents activities accomplished over a 2 year period which meet the following requirements: one page cover sheet, short description of the school’s Environmental Program, and documentation of: integration of environmental issue instruction, professional development, celebration, exhibition of conservation best management practices, and sustained school-community partnerships to enhance environmental learning.

The incentives of being a Green School include the statewide recognition made visible with a Green School flag, banner, and bumper stickers. This gives visibility to our school as we are now a model for other schools and the local neighborhood.

We earn curriculum materials and environmental educational resources along with free trees.

Most importantly the process has engrained in our students the importance of preserving our environment and that our school embodies this effort as one of our core values.

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