County Technical High School Gets Grant for Sustainability Project

EWING – Sustainable Jersey for Schools announced, Feb. 12, the 42 New Jersey public schools and districts selected to receive Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). Cape May County Technical High School was the county’s lone grant recipient.
According to a release, 12 $10,000 grants and 30 $2,000 grants were distributed to support a variety of projects including hydroponic garden towers, outdoor classrooms, school gardens, water bottle refilling stations, school wellness programs, cafeteria composting, student green team capacity building and more.
Farm to Table; Seed to Seed
The county Technical High School will create a school garden that will yield produce for its restaurant, The American Bounty Cafe, and seeds that will be added to the town’s first seed library to be located in the school. 
Students in the Ag Science Career and Technical Education program will be responsible for maintaining the garden and seed library.
With the contribution NJEA has provided $1.25 million to support a sustainable future for children across the state through the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program.
“It is our responsibility to care for our planet, protecting it, making sure that the ways in which we interact with it are sustainable,” stated NJEA Vice President Sean M. Spiller. “As educators, we bear a heavier mantle of responsibility because not only do we need to care for our own footprint but educate our students and communities to do the same — to become engaged citizens, global leaders in saving and protecting our planet. NJEA is honored to continue our work with Sustainable Jersey as we direct resources into our schools that will support these innovative programs.” In addition to grant funding, NJEA supports Sustainable Jersey for Schools as a program underwriter.
“These grants encourage our schools and districts to foster innovative sustainability initiatives that make their schools better stewards in their communities,” stated Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon. “Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants catalyze school-centered sustainability programs and support the creative superintendents, principals, teachers, students and parents who are leading them.” Proposals were judged by an independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee. The Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants are intended to help school districts and schools make progress toward a sustainable future in general, and specifically toward Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.