Green Schools FAQs
Green School Application Frequently Asked Questions
Guides and Application Process
To initiate your journey and access helpful guidelines, follow these steps:
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Visit the "Getting Started" page: Navigate to the "Getting Started" page, where you'll find a timeline and detailed guidelines to assist you throughout the application process.
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Need Further Assistance? If you have any lingering questions or require additional support, don't hesitate to reach out to your local Green Center. You can easily locate your local Green Center by clicking here.
To determine your last Green School Award year, follow these steps:
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Visit the Current Green Schools list.
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Locate your school and identify the date when your school received its last award.
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Add four years to that date. This resulting year is when you'll be due for your next application submission.
Starting in 2022, all schools submitting an application must use the Maryland Green Schools Application Portal. Sustainable schools may use this simplified spreadsheet template to start gathering information to upload to the portal.
If you paid the Intent to Apply fee the previous year and either did not receive the award and would like to resubmit or failed to submit your application on time, you do not need to pay again for the consecutive year.
No, it is essential to utilize the application guide corresponding to the current year of your application. The criteria and requirements may evolve annually, and the Application Guides for the ongoing school year contain the latest, up-to-date information. This is particularly crucial for schools in the process of resubmission. You can readily access the most current version on our website.
No. Schools submitting the 4th Application are applying for sustainable status. This application requires a Goals Statement. Review the guide for more detailed information on this requirement.
For guidance and support, consider the following steps:
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In the first instance, get in touch with your local Green Center. You can easily locate your local Green Center by clicking here.
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If your queries persist and you'd like the support of a Green Leader, please reach out to us at greenschools@maeoe.org. Be sure to include your school name, district, and specify whether your school is public or private. We're here to assist you!
Annually, the Green Schools committee dedicates the summer to reviewing and refining the Green School application. Subsequently, each autumn, you can anticipate updated information regarding the application being made accessible online.
Certainly. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all schools are required to utilize the new online portal for submitting their applications.
Instructional Program Documentation
If you are unsure about having permission to use a particular student's photograph, it is advisable to err on the side of caution. In such cases:
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Do not use the photo.
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Consider alternative options such as cropping the student out of the image or employing tools like Photoshop to blur the student's face.
While a lesson plan can serve as supplementary documentation, it is acceptable only if it includes concrete evidence of student engagement in the activity. This evidence may encompass a student's completed work, a written reflection from a student detailing their participation and newfound knowledge, or photographic evidence depicting students actively involved in the activity.
Consider these alternative approaches to document environmental instruction:
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- Student work samples.
- Photographs of bulletin boards displaying related materials.
- Captured images of students actively participating in the activities.
- Written reflections from students about their experiences.
- Students' assessments and evaluations.
Professional Development
When one teacher attends a PD session and subsequently imparts the knowledge to their fellow teachers at the school, those additional teachers will be considered as part of the 10% if the initial attendee was specifically trained to conduct the PD themselves.
To effectively document Professional Development, be sure to include the following details:
- Names of attendees.
- Date of the training.
- A concise description, mentioning the training facilitator.
- Attach at least one supporting document, such as agendas, sign-in sheets, email confirmations, correspondence, or copies of activities/materials.
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Describing Staff Engagement and Awareness:
To document that the "majority of staff are engaged in EE activities affiliated with the school" and that "all staff is aware of the Green School Application process," follow these steps:
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Describe the staff's involvement in Environmental Instruction and BMP (Best Management Practices) activities. Provide specific examples of activities, programs, or projects in which staff actively participated.
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Cross-reference these staff involvements with the relevant Environmental Education (EE) initiatives and school-affiliated activities.
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Detail how staff was informed about the Green School Application process. Include specifics such as dates and key individuals involved. For instance, you can state that Ms. Smith, the school's Green Team chair, addressed the staff during a meeting on November 4th. In this meeting, Ms. Smith provided a comprehensive overview of the Green School application process and explained how staff and teachers can contribute to the application.
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Certainly, as long as the training includes an Environmental Education component that can be effectively integrated into their teaching methodologies.
Celebration
This event must be annual and school-wide.
In cases where the school population is substantial and organizing a single large-scale event isn't feasible, the following alternatives can be considered:
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Divide the student body into smaller groups, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate. For instance, if the event involves a trash pick-up, each grade level may engage in the cleanup at different times on the same day, culminating in a collective celebratory ice-cream party.
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Extend the event over a week or month, as long as it retains a unified theme and all students actively participate.
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Consider activities like Earth Hour, where the entire school unites in turning off the lights, regardless of the student population size.
Sustainable Practices
Elementary school students can actively lead sustainable practices by participating in various ways, including:
- Identifying specific needs within their school or community.
- Conducting audits to assess and address environmental concerns.
- Petitioning for changes that support sustainability.
- Collaborating in design planning or installation of eco-friendly initiatives.
While recognizing that adult guidance plays a crucial role in these activities, it's essential that students are actively engaged in the process.
Consider utilizing various methods, including:
- Photographs showcasing students actively involved in sustainability initiatives.
- Student reflections capturing their thoughts, experiences, and insights on the projects.
- Student-created blueprints and plans detailing the design and implementation of sustainable practices.
- Newspaper or newsletter articles featuring the projects and their impact.
- Correspondence such as letters or emails related to the sustainability efforts.
- Student surveys gauging opinions, feedback, and perceptions of the initiatives.
- Audits that record data, assessments, and evaluations conducted by students to measure the effectiveness of sustainable practices.
No, FieldScope is no longer a requirement. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, schools submitting Applications 1, 2, 3, or 4 will submit the Metrics Survey via the new online application portal. For schools submitting Applications 5 and beyond, the Metrics Survey can be found on the "Requirements to Apply" page.
These documentation methods provide a well-rounded view of the student-led sustainability efforts and their contributions to the Green School application.
Community Partnerships, Awards and Special Recognition
Yes, it can be considered a sustained partnership, but it's important to provide a detailed description of the partnership, how it has been consistently maintained, and the benefits the school and students derive from it. Partnerships may exhibit the following characteristics:
- Donating supplies or dedicating time to support school initiatives.
- Serving as a guest speaker or correspondent for both students and staff.
- Offering assistance in terms of time, labor, or expertise for various projects.
- Facilitating annual field trips that align with the school's environmental goals.
