Allegany County Public Schools is excited to announce it has schools receiving 2024 Maryland Green Schools Awards, through The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Maryland Green Schools are part of a global community of sustainable green schools. Currently, there are 654 active Maryland Green Schools, which makes up 34% of all Maryland schools.

Schools receive recertification as a Maryland Green School after demonstrating and documenting a continuous effort to integrate sustainable environmental management practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development opportunities, and community engagement into daily operations. The award signifies commitment to fostering appreciation for and reducing the school’s overall impact on the planet.

“Allegany County Public Schools are proud to have all 8 secondary schools listed as Green Schools. The hard work and dedication of the coordinators, teachers, and staff at each school are greatly appreciated. We had three schools, Fort Hill High School, the Center for Career and Technical Education, and Westmar Middle School, complete the recertification process this year to remain Green which is a great accomplishment.” said Dr. Eric Van Slyke, Secondary Science Supervisor.

“Maryland students are becoming better stewards of our Earth’s resources and are developing a better understanding of their local environment. We know that Green School practices, such as outdoor learning support interdisciplinary curriculum standards and student engagement, and school greening efforts support school district climate and sustainability goals,” said Laura Johnson Collard, MAEOE executive director.

These schools are models within the state of Maryland and in the U.S. Students participate through classwork or projects in a green club and by encouraging others to make a difference. MAEOE will celebrate with Green Schools, Green Centers, and schools that are interested in knowing more about the program at the Annual Maryland Green School Youth Summit on May 30, 2024.

About MAEOE: MAEOE is a non-profit organization. MAEOEs mission is to encourage, engage, and empower the community to understand, responsibly use, and promote the natural world. MAEOE's Maryland Green Schools Program celebrates 25 years in 2024. For a complete listing of Green Schools and Green Centers visit www.maeoe.org.