Over the summer of 2024, Santa Cruz Gardens took its final steps in a rigorous process to become Green School Certified. This work was done in collaboration with partners Colin Jarvis of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and Jakki Castorena-Davila of the California Green Businesses Program.
Santa Cruz Gardens will be recognized officially this December by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors at the County Office Building downtown for it’s achievement.
“Santa Cruz Gardens obtaining Green School certification aligns perfectly with the school's goals to guide students toward a deeper relationship with the natural world,” says Castorena-Davila. “Oftentimes people only associate environmentalism with the outdoors but in today's society, upholding sustainable policies, practices, and environmentally conscious purchases also leads to a healthy environment. The connection between our everyday lives and resource conservation is a major component in helping students develop an understanding of their role in the natural world.”
The school went through a checklist evaluation and participated in awareness projects with their classrooms, as well as Green Classroom challenges that continue to build understanding for the importance of waste and consumption practices in and out of our homes and schools.
Together, the 76 Teacher Leaders for Sustainability (TLIS) and Green Classroom Teacher Champions have also been honored for engaging over 4,300 students in environmental learning and action, leaving students more empowered to create a sustainable future. Here are a few reactions from administrators and community members who attended a teacher "share fair" from TLIS:
"We have amazing teacher leaders!"
"I got inspiration, connections with teachers based on project topics, and a desire to support local teachers by providing resources"
"The teachers were tremendously successful with this program!"
"Fantastic job! I felt motivated and inspired by the experiences and stories shared.”
“The goals of the Green Classroom and Green School Certification are two-pronged,” says Colin Jarvis of the Environmental Literacy and Sustaniability Department of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “We want to ensure that Teachers and Students are recognized for their continuing contributions towards sustainability and environmental literacy and we want to inspire classrooms to commit to 5 New Actions that they can aim to implement moving forward!”
Teachers of SCG worked with their students to decide on the 5 New Actions that they want to incorporate into their classroom community. As completed, the classrooms received a certificate to hang proudly in their classroom and on their doors to serve as a visual reminder that will support their commitment and spark conversations with others about how to be a Green Classroom and an environmental steward for a hopeful and green tomorrow!
The Challenge is ongoing throughout this school year and it has been a great and easy way for teachers and students to initiate important conversations within their school communities and make a real difference through their actions!
Comments