Chatham H.S. To Be Awarded For Sustainable School, Oct. 20

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham High School was awarded a Bronze medallion for its efforts at keeping sustainability and a green environment within the school.

On Oct. 20, the school will be awarded during an online event for this achievement, along with New Jersey’s other schools that won awards.

The school earned 160 points when becoming Bronze-certified on Aug. 4.

“It is a great honor to be presented with a Bronze certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools,” said the high school’s Principal Darren Groh. “All of the work that our Green Team advisors, Shannon Falkner and Torri Van Wie, have done with our students and others to educate and inform our school community has created a better environment and a more environmentally conscious community.”

“We are so proud of CHS for earning the Bronze Certification, and grateful for the amazing staff that have helped us and allowed us to participate in the bettering of our community,” said Co-Presidents of the school’s Green Team, Braden Mellina and Brooke Chasalow.

“This is just the first step towards environmental health and awareness at CHS, and it is a privilege to be able to take part in building a greener Chatham,” Mellina and Chasalow added.

This is how Chatham High School has earned its Bronze certification and 160 points:

• For 10 points - The Chatham Education Foundation's activities in giving $1,500,000 in grant monies within the school district for programs that help to support teachers, help with student learning and well-being and upgrade learning spaces.
• For 10 points - Solar-generation system at the high school that displaces 19.34 percent of Chatham High School's energy.
• For 15 points - Chatham High School's digital learning fosters "communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking."
• For 20 points - The high school has diligently tracked and reported its energy services, including its PSE&G gas service, JCP&L electricity and municipal sewer and water through New Jersey American Water.
• For 30 points - Chatham High School environmental science programs grow hydroponic and aquaponic gardens, beginning from seeds, in 10 raised garden beds.
• For 15 points - The high school performs a monthly Indoor Air Quality review, based on the EPA checklist. The team also performed a walkthrough to evaluate potential issues with air flow in the school, that could have become complicated by COVID-19.
• For 10 points - Chatham High School's Green Team collaborated with the high school's Key Club on an anti-idling campaign during Earth Week, with Chatham Township's Police Department using a mock ticketing program for idling cars.
• For 10 points - The high school is working on an inclusive curriculum in English Language Arts with the Student Advisory Council.
• For 10 points - The Green Team has been recognized for programs in addition to the anti-idling campaign, including QR codes that lead to student-created videos on sustainability.
• For 10 points - The collaboration among different groups, including the John Taylor Babbitt Club doing the 2021 virtual "Walk with Heart" event. There was also the Refugee Rescue Club and the International Rescue Committee, supporting refugees over the holiday season.
• For 5 points - Sustainability education for grades 4-12 in English Language Arts was another focus, through student-led book clubs.
• For 5 points - Sustainability education for grades 4-12 in Science, with a lesson that 66 junior and senior students completed in environmental justice, public health strengthening and focus on topics like environmental racism.
• For 10 points - The school's staff wellness program is embraced through the entire School District of the Chathams, with special wellness activities for staff members. At the high school, there's a Rest and Relaxation Room that staff and students can use for de-stressing workshops.

Click here for the full report on Chatham High School's bronze certification.

For a list of all participating schools in New Jersey, click here.

RELATED: Chatham H.S. Scores Sustainable Jersey Bronze Certification

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.