Herma Simmons Elementary School and Clayton High School were both awarded a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey grant funded by the PSEG Foundation. 40 $2,000-grants were distributed to recipients across 17 New Jersey counties. The grant awards will fund a range of projects including food waste recycling; green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping; green fairs; composting; green business recognition; environmental resource inventories; outdoor classrooms; pollinator gardens and more.
Nick Koutsogiannis, Superintendent of Clayton Public Schools stated, “The Clayton Public School district is honored to be awarded these grants. We will use the grants to support both our Herma Simmons Elementary School and Clayton High School Environmental Club Chairs. The Environmental Club Chairs will use the funds to continue to make strides with the already established Clubs. Both the Elementary and High Schools are currently bronze medal Sustainable Jersey Schools certified and our major goal for the next few years is to work towards achieving silver medal certification. Both Environmental Clubs are instrumental in this process, as many tasks are accomplished through the Clubs. This will help our school and school community have a deeper understanding of environmental issues and will also empower them to enact change.”
“These sustainability projects will strengthen New Jersey by helping local communities become more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous. Congratulations grant recipients; thank you for taking steps to improve health, integrate sustainability into student learning, boost recycling efforts and cut greenhouse gas emissions,” said Randall Solomon, executive director for Sustainable Jersey. “Your projects will have a ripple effect that will benefit us all.”
The PSEG Foundation has contributed $3.1 million dollars in funding to the Sustainable Jersey grants program for municipalities and schools over the past 12 years.
“PSEG cares about people and the planet, which is why we’re so proud to be a prime supporter of Sustainable Jersey,” said Calvin Ledford, president of the PSEG Foundation and director of PSEG Corporate Social Responsibility. “Sustainable Jersey starts with our precious youngsters and creates roles for everyone, in ways that show the kind of ingenuity, environmental stewardship and community that PSEG has valued for 120 years.”
Proposals were evaluated by an independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee. The Sustainable Jersey grants are intended to help municipalities and schools make progress toward a sustainable future in general, and specifically toward Sustainable Jersey and Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.
