Readington Township School District was awarded a $10,000 Sustainable Jersey grant funded the PSEG Foundation. Seven $20,000-grants, 11 $10,000-grants and 28 $2,000-grants were distributed to recipients
across 17 New Jersey counties. The grant awards will fund a range of projects including green infrastructure and tree planting; sustainable landscaping and pollinator gardens; Environmental Resource Inventories and Watershed Improvement Plans, waste reduction and recycling; community and school gardens; sustainability and STEAM education; outdoor classrooms and social emotional learning programs; green team support and more.
"The Readington Township School District is grateful for Sustainable Jersey for Schools and their work to support communities in nurturing a more sustainable future. With their generous $10,000 grant the Readington Schools will launch a student-led broadcast video program dedicated to promoting sustainability and wellness in our schools and community along with various other topics of interest to our students. Our district goal is to empower our students to 'lead purposeful lives and to cultivate a spirit of discovery.' The idea for EcoAction News originated as a passion project from our student EcoAmabssadors and their teacher, Ms. Freeman. It is a thrill to see how our district mission lives within our students and faculty. as they turn their passions into action" shared Dr. Jonathan Hart, Superintendent of Schools.
“When it comes to implementing solutions to key sustainability challenges, we must keep raising our collective ambitions,” said Randall Solomon, executive director for Sustainable Jersey. “Sustainable Jersey grants funded by the PSE&G Foundation give our municipalities and schools the chance to dream big and implement projects that help New Jersey become more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous.”
The PSEG Foundation has contributed $3.4 million dollars in funding to the Sustainable Jersey grants program for municipalities and schools over the past 13 years. “PSEG’s commitment to people and the planet shines through our strong support for Sustainable Jersey,” shared Calvin Ledford, president of the PSEG Foundation and director of PSEG Corporate Social Responsibility. “A sustainable New Jersey begins with our young generation, fostering roles for everyone that exemplify ingenuity, environmental stewardship and community spirit — priorities that PSEG has cherished for over 120 years.”
Proposals were evaluated by an independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee. The Sustainable Jersey grants are intended to help municipalities and schools make progress toward a sustainable future in general, and specifically toward Sustainable Jersey and Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification.
The district has two preschools through third grade schools, Three Bridges and Whitehouse Schools, one fourth and fifth grade school, Holland Brook School, and one sixth through eighth grade school, Readington Middle School. District enrollment is approximately 1440 students.
About Sustainable Jersey
Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. As New Jersey faces issues such as the climate crisis, a growing equity divide and environmental pollution, municipalities want to be a part of the solution to these challenges. Sustainable Jersey participants (municipalities and schools) have successfully implemented and documented over 25,569 sustainability actions. Sustainable Jersey has provided over $7.9 million in grants to municipalities, school districts and schools for community-based projects that create healthy and sustainable communities in New Jersey.
In Photo (left to right): Randy Solomon/Executive Director of Sustainable Jersey, Calvin Ledford/PS&G Foundation, Dr. Jonathan Hart/Superintendent, Mrs. Betsy Freeman/G&T Teacher, Ms. Sarah Pauch/MST Supervisor.
