April 16, 2025
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UPPER MARLBORO, MD — Berwyn Heights Elementary School is one of just three schools in the state to be selected by Dr. Carey Wright, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, as a 2025 Maryland Nominee for the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) Award. This prestigious national recognition honors schools for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, improve the health and wellness of students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education.
A proud Title I school serving a diverse population of K-5 students, Berwyn Heights has embedded sustainability into its school culture for nearly two decades. Since becoming a Maryland Green School in 2006, BHES has steadily advanced its environmental initiatives, reaching Sustainable Bronze status in April 2024. The school’s environmental practices are wide-ranging, hands-on, and community-centered – from student-led composting and vermicomposting programs to pollinator habitat cultivation and watershed education.
“Sustainability is not just a program at Berwyn Heights Elementary – it’s something our entire school district is aspiring to as outlined in our Climate Change Action Plan,” said Superintendent Millard House II. “Our district leads the state in the number of Maryland Green Schools, and Berwyn Heights is one of just seven schools to have reached elite ‘Sustainable’ status.”
Berwyn Heights students begin learning about environmental impact as early as kindergarten through in-class instruction, project-based learning, and outdoor activities. Notable programs include raising sunfish for release into the Chesapeake Bay watershed and growing vegetables in the school garden, which is maintained year-round with support from the community and shared with local families.
“Our students are learning to be stewards of the environment from their earliest years, and their school community is modeling what it means to make a real, lasting impact,” said principal Amanda Alerich. “This nomination reflects the powerful work of educators, students, and families who are committed to building a greener, healthier future.”
Throughout the school, conservation efforts have led to measurable reductions in energy and water usage. The school has installed energy-efficient lighting, monitored plumbing for efficiency, and adjusted HVAC systems to reduce consumption. Staff and students work together to power down unused electronics and incorporate sustainability into daily routines.
Outdoor learning is also central to Berwyn Heights' approach. With support from the Town of Berwyn Heights, the school has developed and maintained outdoor spaces including a sensory garden, pollinator garden, and an outdoor classroom that enhance both education and well-being.
The ED-GRS Award Program celebrates institutions that exemplify sustainability leadership and share resources and strategies others can adopt. Berwyn Heights Elementary’s nomination underscores the PGCPS commitment to environmental education and serves as a model for schools nationwide.
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