December 2019
It's Giving Tuesday
Project Green Schools is developing the next generation of environmental leaders through hands-on, project and solutions-based learning, community service and action for students K-12. Students work at the intersection where STEM meets energy, environment and public health, while developing sustainable solutions, soft skills, as well as college and career readiness.

Project Green Schools offers students and schools resources with our 13 Pathways to Greening Your School and our K-12 Interactive both aligned with the U.N Sustainability Goals as well as recognition for their green work through our Green Schools Society , National Youth Council and Green Difference Awards .

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. 
On #givingtuesday help Project Green Schools engage more students and more schools across the country in environmental stewardship:
 
$50  – Supports the engagement of 1 Student Leader in National Leadership Council

$100   – Enables PGS to profile the work of a student leader on our website and release it to local and national media

$250  – Enables the adjudication of submissions and awarding of a Green Difference Award or scholarship

$500  – Provides a year of customized program and event support for an entire school

See what we've been doing! Read our full Giving Tuesday letter
REGISTER NOW for the Project Green Schools Golf Tournament
Save the Date & Join Us - Registration is Now Open for Project Green Schools Golf Tournament on June 15, 2020 at White Cliffs Country Club (Plymouth, MA). Click to register

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tournament Chair, Stanley Sidman, at  busdevgroup1@aol.com   or (774-268-9956)
National Youth Council Corner
Our National Youth Council says "Celebrate the Holidays Sustainably!"
Today, in the 21st century, we are constantly surrounded by options : Should I buy the new iPhone? Do I buy the name-brand clothes that everyone will be wearing? Where can I get the newest gadgets? These infinite amount of options often cloud our judgement, causing us to impulsively buy items we do not necessarily need. This cycle is often referred to as consumerism. The thing that we do not realize when we are in awe of the newest and latest items, is the detrimental effect these are having on the environment. Consumerism, at its core, is choosing to own products, often in excess, over our basic needs such as food and shelter. We are constantly looking to upgrade the perfectly good items we already have to keep up with the latest trends. However, this in and of itself causes a huge increase in our carbon footprint. If everyone lived and consumed as much as the average American, there would need to be four earths to sustain us. This simply is impossible, but we can take various measures to combat this. We first have to understand the production methods of these materials. The significant amount of waste that occurs when these products are made directly harms the environment for it uses a tremendous amount of resources. If we call attention to this issue and educate people on taking proper measures, specifically avoiding companies that do not use environmentally friendly production methods, we can significantly improve these statistics. As we go into the holiday season, just remember to keep this in the back of your mind when deciding what is necessary to buy. Written by National Youth Council Student VP Ria

Support our National Youth Council campaign and purchase the sticker shown above!
National Youth Council is currently accepting membership for the 2019-2020 school year!

National Youth Council students are difference-makers who are invited to participate in important regional, national and world events. Students in grades 5-12 are eligible to take part.

 
Follow the National Youth Council students on their Instagram page:   pgs_council

Green Schools Society Members
REMINDER to our National and International Green Schools Society members to track your hours!

NEWLY RELEASED! Having an induction ceremony for NGSS or IGSS? Head over to our website and download our Induction Certificates.

The FAQs area of our Green Schools Society website has everything you are looking for: handbooks, marketing templates, induction certificates, tracking sheets, end of year recognition information and more!
Project Green Schools Partners with Community Works Institute
Community Works Institute provides support to K-16 schools and community based organizations, across the U.S. and internationally, through our annual  Summer Institutes  and  on-site professional development . Project Green Schools members receive a specially reduced registration rate for ALL THREE 2020 Institutes: Lima, Brooklyn and Los Angelos

NOW $799 (reg tuition $1,289). Limited time unique opportunity, time length will depend on number of registrations at this special rate.

CWI’s NEXT Institute - An Experiential Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion —From Classroom to Community, Moving Toward Social Justice
February 29, 2020, Brooklyn, NY
April 4, 2020, Los Angeles, CA
January 13-17, 2020, Lima, Peru
Sustainable Storytelling Contest for Middle School
Project Green Schools is excited to partner with The Redford Center!

The Redford Center is inviting 6th, 7th and 8th grade teachers with iPad-equipped classrooms to integrate the Contest activities, including team-based video production, into their fall 2019 or early spring 2020 lesson plans. Apple partnered with The Redford Center to support the development of the curriculum and fund the contest. The Contest curriculum, which satisfies Next Generation Science Standards, is designed as a supplement to scheduled learning in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, Economics and other established courses that touch upon environmental topics and issues. 

Share this contest link with a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade teacher whose students would tell some great stories for a sustainable future:  http://redfordcenter.org/stories

Press Release and description of program:  Link
Bring Scenic Conservation Education to Your School
Check out our new Scenic Pathway in a partnership with Scenic America to educate and engage your students on scenic conservation.
When: March 2 - 4, 2020
Where: Hilton Portland Downtown, Portland, Oregon


Don't miss this opportunity to learn from and network with educational leaders, green building professionals, nonprofit partners, and others who are passionate about the future of green schools. Five tracks of programming will be offered:  

Track 1: Healthy School Environments
Track 2: Driving Cultural & Behavioral Change
Track 3: Kickstarting Sustainability Programs in Schools
Track 4: Designing Schools for the Future
Track 5: Engaging & Empowering Students

Both full and daily passes are available. Register before December 20, 2019 to save with early bird rates.  Special room discounts  are also available at the Hilton Portland Downtown until February 17, 2020.
Apply for the 2020 Best of Green Schools Awards!
In The News

Check out these Princeton Review Lists:
Events

April 30 - May 4, 2020
Resources, Grants, Recognitions, Scholarships, Internships and Competitions

As authorized by the National Environmental Education Act of 1990, EPA is pleased to announce the availability of up to $3 million in funding for locally-focused environmental education projects under the 2020 Environmental Education Grant Program. EPA will award three to four grants in each of the agency’s 10 regions. Deadline: January 6, 2020

The World of 7 Billion student video contest bring technology and creativity into your middle and high school classes. The deadline for submissions is February 27, 2020 – use this lesson plan to get started now! Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found here .
Project Green Schools 2019 Annual Report

Take a moment and see all the amazing work Project Green Schools has accomplished this year.

Project Green Schools |3 Village Green North #311 PMB 191, Plymouth, MA 02360 | info@projectgreenschools.org  www.projectgreenschools.org