Just Announced: The Honorees for the New Jersey School and District Sustainability Awards
on Oct 20, 2021
Five special award recipients located in Monmouth and Burlington counties
Today, Sustainable Jersey announced the recipients of the 2021 Sustainable Jersey for Schools awards which celebrate the outstanding schools and school districts setting the standard for sustainability excellence. The 2021 certified schools and special award recipients are highlighted in the 2021 Sustainable Jersey for Schools Annual Awards Program Book.
The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes schools that were certified this year with the highest number of points in their category: elementary, middle or high school. The baseline bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points and silver-level certification requires 350 points. The 2021 Sustainability Champions all earned silver-level certification as well as the new Digital Schools Star. The 2021 Sustainability Champion Award recipients are:
- SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: George L. Catrambone Elementary School, Long Branch Public School District (Monmouth County) with 880 points. This is the highest point level ever achieved in the program.
- SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION - MIDDLE SCHOOL: Howell Middle School North, Howell Township Public School District (Monmouth County) with 505 points.
- SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION - HIGH SCHOOL: Long Branch High School, Long Branch Public School District (Monmouth County) with 435 points.
The Sustainability Makes $ense Award recognizes a district that has achieved substantial budgetary savings through the implementation of Sustainable Jersey for Schools actions. This year the award goes to Hazlet Township Public School District (Monmouth County) for its exemplary energy practices, including participation in New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, installation of solar panels and completion of significant energy efficiency work--new windows, lighting fixtures, boilers and cooling systems–with the help of an energy specialist hired by the district. Between 2017 and 2020, Hazlet Township Public School District decreased overall energy consumption by 36 percent and saved $469,770 in energy costs.
The Green Team Collaboration Award recognizes the efforts of school and municipal green teams to advance sustainability by working together on substantial projects. The 2021 Green Team Collaboration Award recipients are Delran Township School District and Delran Township (Burlington County) for the work the green teams did together to address the invasive spotted lanternfly.
“This year’s special award winners represent the best of the best. They are inspiring examples of what is possible when you combine vision, hard work and collaboration,” said Randall Solomon, the executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “Congratulations to the schools and school districts honored today. As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity digital divide and environmental pollution, we are thankful that schools are a part of the solution to these challenges.”
To date, 1,025 of New Jersey’s schools have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to sustainability by registering with the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program. Award winners are selected from the schools that are certified in the designated award year. In lieu of an in-person ceremony this year, Sustainable Jersey for Schools is acknowledging the winners with a virtual ceremony and on social media; look for the ceremony and individual videos at @SJ_Schools on Twitter and @SustainableJersey on Facebook.