On Dec. 11, $90,000 was awarded through the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Small Grants program, which was funded by the Gardinier Environmental Fund. These grants will support projects including an energy resiliency microgrid study, energy curricula in schools, energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to buildings, and more. To date, the Gardinier Environmental Fund has provided $365,000 to the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants program.
| School District | County | Grant Amount | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne Twp. Public Schools | Passaic | $30,000 | HVAC Replacement- Pine Lakes School |
| Atlantic City Public Schools | Atlantic | $10,000 | Public School Energy Teams |
| Berkeley Heights School District | Union | $10,000 | Gymnasium LED Upgrade |
| Manasquan Public School District | Monmouth | $10,000 | Wattage Saving Warriors Program |
| Monroe Twp Public School District | Middlesex | $10,000 | Energizing Our Future Education Program |
| Princeton Public Schools | Mercer | $10,000 | Princeton Energy Avengers Program |
| Readington Twp Public Schools | Hunterdon | $10,000 | Mobile Energy Lab |
New Participating Schools and Districts Sustainable Jersey announced several New Jersey schools and districts have recently registered for the program. At latest count, there were 140 districts registered and 350 schools in New Jersey. To participate, districts must adopt a resolution of participation and register, and then schools within the district are invited to participate by registering individually.
New participating school districts include Atlantic County Special Services, Folsom Borough, Hoboken, National Park Borough, Point Pleasant Beach, and Woodbury Heights.
Schools which have registered include Reeds Road Elementary (Galloway); Joseph M. Ferraina Childhood Learning Center (Long Branch); Lenna W. Conrow Elementary (Long Branch); Audrey W. Clark Elementary (Long Branch); Long Branch High School; Morris Avenue Elementary (Long Branch); Harmony Elementary (Moorestown); Mary E. Roberts Elementary (Moorestown); Paterson Charter School For Science/Technology; Elmer Elementary (Pittsgrove Township); Norma Elementary (Pittsgrove Township); Summit Senior High School; Washington Elementary (Summit); Avenel Middle (Woodbridge); Iselin Elementary (Woodbridge) and Oak Ridge Heights Elementary (Woodbridge).
Webinar Available An online webinar, “Getting Ready for Certification,” will be held on Jan. 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The session will provide an overview of the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program, tips for selecting and documenting actions at both the district and school level, and the timeline for the 2016 certification cycle. Registration is available online here.