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Maryland Green School

Mother Seton School celebrates the distinction of becoming a Maryland Green School – one of four schools in Frederick County and one of three Catholic schools in the state of Maryland - certified by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Our goal is to create the best possible learning environment for students while embracing a lifelong responsibility for the earth’s resources.

For the last few years, Mother Seton School’s Green School Committee has worked diligently to incorporate these best practices. During the school’s celebration, Assistant Principal Gordon Love demonstrated how not just the committee but each individual contributed to this award through the recounting of some of the daily school routines and projects: filling up drinking containers from the water fountain, using the recycling bins, bringing lunches in reusable containers and not throw-away wrappers, riding a bike to school, completing a Green School art project, planting seeds, trees and shrubs, setting up a bird feeder, being a member of the school’s Science Club and/or Green School Committee, and promoting good practices.

The School’s Drama Club performed part of the skit, “Gonna Have an Earth Day,” highlighting some practical ways families can show their love and care for our beloved Earth:

• Try to wash larger loads of laundry to waste less water and energy
• Use soap products without chlorine or phosphorus
• Don’t let the water run when you wash your car
• Don’t let your car idle while waiting – turn it off
• Turn off lights when they are not needed
• Sea animals die from eating soda pop plastic rings. Don’t buy them or at least cut them up before you throw them away
• Chlorofluorocarbons used in Styrofoam destroys the ozone layer for two decades after use
• Avoid aerosol sprays that release hydrocarbons into the air

Mother Seton School recognized some of the people whose efforts helped the school attain the distinction of being recognized as a 2009 Maryland Green School: Pictured from L-R, Front Row: Sr. Catherine Francis – MSS Resource Teacher; Sr. JoAnne Goecke, MSS Principal; Audrey Hillman, Master Gardener, Rosemary Laudani – Current MSS Parent, Stacey L. Collins, Client & Community Relations Manager – PNC Bank; Back Row: David Hawkins, President- Frederick Area Landscape Contractors and Nurserymen Association, Larry Underriner – MSS Board of Directors, Edward Remavege – PNC Investments; Jerry Schwartz – Environmental Scientist; Gordon Love, Green School Committee Chair and MSS Vice Principal. Other Green School Committee members not pictured: Pastor Jon Greenstone - Elias Lutheran Church, Danielle Kuykendall – MSS Middle School Science Teacher, Elizabeth Prongas – President, New Forest Society and Kay Schultz - Frederick County Watershed Alliance.

Other Green School Committee members not pictured: Jayne Breighner – MSS 3rd Grade Teacher, Pastor Jon Greenstone - Elias Lutheran Church, Danielle Kuykendall – MSS Middle School Science Teacher, Elizabeth Prongas – President, New Forest Society, Kay Schultz - Frederick County Watershed Alliance.

Willow Rill Nature Trail

Thanks to the initiative of the Green School Committee and the generosity of Mr. Robert Elam, the Willow Rill Nature Trail at Mother Seton School boasts a beautiful new sign inviting all to enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the trail. When you are visiting MSS, take a walk down to see it in its natural setting. more>>

solar energy

Thanks to the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Plamondon, a PNC Bank grant, a MD State Solar grant, and a partnership with Standard Solar, MSS is the proud owner of a 1.75 kilowatt solar energy system consisting of five solar panels. more>>

What is a Green School Initiative?

• Using school sites and curricular instruction to prepare students to understand and act on current and future environmental challenges facing all Marylanders.
  
• Model environmental best management practices (BMP’S) in building and landscape design, maintenance, and operation.
  
• Build and maintain partnerships with the local community to enhance environmental learning and to design and implement projects and programs that result in a healthier environment.
  
  

How Does It Work?

What are the State requirements?
In accordance with stated program requirements, a school must document activities accomplished over a 2 year period. 

What is the criteria for Curriculum and Instruction? 
Environmental Issue Instruction: Students are given opportunities at all grade levels to learn about, study, and address environmental issues in the classroom, on the school site, and/or in the local and regional community.

Professional Development:  The school staff are involved in professional development or other training activities that enhance environmental awareness.

Celebration:  The school acknowledges and celebrates student and staff accomplishments in the implementation of environmental best management practices in the operation, design, and maintenance of the school building and grounds. 

What are the requirements for Operation and Design of School Building and Grounds? (school must demonstrate that it meets at least 4 of the 7 criteria) 

• Water Conservation and/or Water Pollution Prevention
• Energy Conservation
• Solid Waste Reduction
• Habitat Restoration
• Building Structures for Learning about the Environment
• Responsible Transportation
• Healthy School Environment

What are the requirements for the School Community? (School must demonstrate at least 1 of the 2 criteria) 

• Community Partners in the Local Community
• Community Partners at the School

For more information please contact:

Gordon Love, Assistant Principal
Mother Seton School
100 Creamery Road
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
1-301-447-3161