BOSTON — This week, State environmental officials recognized students from 44 schools across the Commonwealth for outstanding environmental actions as members of the “Green Team,” a statewide environmental education program sponsored by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Among those recognized were Mr. Peter Afanasiw's class at Cohasset High School and Ms. Shayna Miller's class at Hingham Middle School.
“Initiatives like this are critical to raising awareness of the role we all play in protecting our environment,” said Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “I’m particularly proud to see two classes from the South Shore be recognized for their work to implement practical ideas around energy conservation, recycling, composting, pollution prevention, and more.’
Students of any age can participate in the Green Team program, an initiative composed of students that share the goals of reducing pollution and protecting the environment. More than 11,000 students in 391 classes at 341 schools joined the Green Team this school year, a record level of participation for the program.
Students across the Commonwealth took part in a range of activities, including expanding school recycling programs, collecting textiles for donation and recycling, starting a compost pile using organic waste from the school cafeteria and using the compost it generates to nourish a garden to grow vegetables, making their school driveways “Idle-Free Zones,” increasing energy efficiency in their schools and communities, and reducing their carbon footprint at school and at home.
These activities incorporated classroom disciplines from the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), reading, writing, art, and other non-classroom, interrelated projects.
Participating teachers received a Green Team Kit containing classroom posters, lesson plans, recycling tips and access to a library of other resources. In addition, 33 schools received recycling equipment from the Green Team to initiate or expand school recycling programs. Eighteen schools received signs reading “Idle-Free Zone” from the Green Team that serve as a visual reminder to drivers to turn off their engines while waiting in the schoolyard.
To learn more or to participate in the 2020-2021 school year, the 19th year for the Green Team, teachers may sign up online here.
Senator Patrick O’Connor represents the Plymouth and Norfolk district, which includes the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth. Sen. O’Connor and his staff may be reached at the State House at 617-722-1646 or by email at Patrick.O’[email protected].
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