Program Updates
On a continuous basis, through the help of the task forces, the Certification Standards Committee reviews Sustainable Jersey for Schools program content, standards, and feedback to ensure actions are relevant, appropriate and up-to-date with current best practices. Sustainable Jersey for Schools announces new program and action updates every year at the annual New Jersey School Boards Workshop in October. New actions and action updates are typically implemented by January 1st.
2024-2025 Action Updates
School Culture and Climate
School Culture and Climate Needs Assessment: 20-30 Points
This action has been revised to change the requirements and point structure. The action now offers variable points. To earn the base 20 points, schools need to identify the school climate team that led the work; perform a survey of students, staff, and parents/caregivers; develop a school climate improvement plan informed by the survey data; and share the results of the survey and the climate improvement plan with the school community. Schools may earn an additional 10 points for compiling, analyzing, and sharing the results of an inventory of current interventions and practices that address school climate to ensure alignment with needs identified in the climate assessment.
Healthy School Environments
Classroom Chemical Purchase, Storage & Disposal Policy: 15 Points
This action was updated in February, 2025 to revise the submission requirements. Applicants are no longer asked to upload a chemical hygiene plan and a chemical inventory but must attest that their plan and inventory were updated in the current or previous school year. A new requirement was added to list attendees and dates of training provided to staff who handle lab chemicals.
Previous Program Updates
View Sustainable Jersey for School's Previous Program Updates to learn more about the modifications made in the past.