Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS) has met the rigorous requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey for Schools Bronze certification. TEECS is part of a group of 108 schools that achieved the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification in 2019.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools, a program for pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public schools in New Jersey, is voluntary, but achieving certification takes commitment and collaborative effort. 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.
To date, 5,079 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.
“Sustainable schools provide a healthy environment, conserve resources and improve the well-being of the community,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) executive director. “Attaining certification is a significant accomplishment that reflects the leadership of the boards of education and their superintendents, as well as the contributions of principals, teachers, education support professionals and parents in this effort.”
On October 22, 2019, TEECS was one of the certified schools celebrated at a reception held during NJSBA Workshop 2019 in Atlantic City.
To date, on-going maintenance of the SJS application continues. Every three years, TEECS needs to resubmit its Actions for re-certification.
About Sustainable Jersey for Schools
Website: www.SustainableJerseySchools.com
Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for public schools in New Jersey. It was launched by Sustainable Jersey, an organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward municipalities and schools as they pursue sustainability programs. Over 336 school districts and 872 schools are participating in the program. The full list of participating and certified schools and school districts is available: Participating Districts and Schools. Sustainable Jersey for Schools has awarded over $1.8 million in grants to schools and school districts.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools is underwritten by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the PSEG Foundation and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). The 2019 Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants program is underwritten by the PSEG Foundation, NJEA and the Gardinier Environmental Fund. Platinum and founding sponsors are South Jersey Gas and New Jersey Natural Gas. The gold and founding sponsor is NJM Insurance Group. The silver sponsor is Investors Bank. The bronze sponsors are BioShine, Gabel Associates, Maschio’s Food Service Inc., Jersey Central Power & Light and Schneider Electric.
Program partners include: NJSBA, NJEA, New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO), New Jersey Parent Teacher Association (NJPTA), New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), New Jersey School Buildings and Grounds Association (NJSBGA) and The Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).