Systemic Sustainability
Environmental Curriculum and Instruction
1.1 Curriculum and Instruction
Elementary & middle schools must provide one example of outdoor/environmental instruction per grade level.
High schools must provide one example of outdoor/environmental instruction in four subjects (which may include multiple different differents sciences).
Students are responsible for monitoring and managing the water quality for the Trout/Blue Gill tank. Data collected is used to understand various curriculum explorations such as nutrient cycles, life cycles, fish anatomy, niche, food chains and DNR laws and regulation.
Gardening and Chemistry: Lima Bean Project
Students plant, tend and monitor the growth of lima bean seeds. This project covers the Chemistry units of compounds, properties, and chemical reactions. As lessons are delivered on ions, covalent compounds, pH, and chemical reactions students learn how these concepts are related to plant anatomy and physiology. Students learn the importance of soil chemistry on the quality of life of plants. Emphasis is placed on water, ions, pH, fertilizer, photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Secondary to the application of Chemistry content; is the connection between our bodies and plants and Agriculture and its impact on the Environment.
1.2 Green School Awareness
1.2.1 School Wide Awareness - Staff
Demonstrate that all school personnel are aware of your school's Green School status and application process.
An all-staff meeting was held on March 6, 2023 to inform the community on our Green School initiative.
An all staff meeting was held to announce the Green School Initiative. Major topics discussed included MAEOE, Why?, How?, When? and Who?
Our staff was listening to the presentation describing our commitment to the Green School Certification.
PPT_School_Wide_Announcement_of_Intent (768.15 KB)
A copy of the PPT presented to the JC Community regarding our intent to pursue Green School Certification.
1.2.2 School-Wide Celebration
Demonstrate how your school celebrates beig a Green School by hosting a school-wide environmentally-focused event open to all students.
Celebrating MD's Arbor Day/Awarded "Tree Campus K-12" by the Arbor Day Foundation
A proclamation was drafted and read prior to the installation of trees on campus.
Students diffing holes for seedlings.
The Patriot adding a hand.
Because we believe outdoor eperience fosters environmental stewardship we offered a one day fishing clinic for interested students. This fishing clinic was lead by a semi-Professional angler who solicited donations for each student to be able to take home tackle and rod.
Nick catches his first fish.
Nick receives assistanct by our visiting expert.
Tackle and Rods for all students to take home
JC Student smiles with great catch.
JC student shows his catch.
A happy JC staff member.
Environmental Professional Development for Teachers
1.3.1 Environmental Professional Development for Teachers
Demonstrate that 10% of staff have completed an environmental PD. Instructional staff is defined as any staff that manages a gradebook.
- New Schools must have all PD completed within the past 2 academic years.
- Renewing schools must have all PD completed within the past 4 academic years.
A teacher who has participated in multiple workshops may only be counted once..
Wendy Doring presented a progam on Recycling in Harford County and how we can incorporate better recycling programs at John Carroll.
Wendy Doring, Green Leader for Harford County, gave a dual presentation which covered aspects of becoming a Green School and the details of Recycling in Harford County.
Wendy Doring presenting recycling program in HarfordCounty to JC Faculty.
1.4 Achieving Sustainable Schools
1.4.1 School-Wide Staff Sustainability
Demonstrate the sustainability practices your teachers, staff, and other personnel have implemented school-wide to make your school green. Any actions involving students belong under Objective 2.
1.4.2 Systemic Partnership
Demonstrate one partnership with a central office or board within the school system that supports part of the Maryland Green Schools Program. Any partnerships outside of your school system belong under Objective 3.
Student Action
Schools must document eight total actions that address at least three of the listed sustainability practices.
These are student actions not adult actions. Adult sustainable actions can be documented in Objective 1.4.
2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention
2.1 Water Conservation/Pollution Prevention
2.2 Energy Conservation
2.2 Energy Conservation
2.3 Solid Waste Reduction
2.3 Solid Waste Reduction
Cafeteria and building film waste is being collected and managed by students.
Dedicated paper recycling in copy rooms. Managed by students, the bins are transported to dumpster. Volumes are measured and recorded for documentation.
2.4 Habitat Restoration
2.4 Habitat Restoration
An area hsa been designated as a "Now Mow Zone" on our campus. Educational signage will be installed in the spring.
Dedicated area along a wooded edge where all vegetative debris is dumped and allowed to accumulate for habitat.
After a catastrophic leak to our campus pond, Administration chose to rebuild and correct the spillage system in this decades-old pond. The motivating factors include not only the broader campus eco-system, but the role the pond plays in our curriculum and desire to give our students a connection to the natural world. Many classes utilize the pond.
Students will be removing and restoring current blue bird boxes throughout the campus.
2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration
2.5 Opportunities for Nature Exploration
A grant was secured(2024) specifically for the installation of an outdoor education classroom. The Class of 2025 Senior Gift is a donation to cover the residual costs of an Outdoor Classroom to begin constructions in the Spring of 2025. These funds will replace an already existing classroom on campus.
2.6 Responsible Transportation
2.6 Responsible Transportation
2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments
2.7 Healthy Indoor Environments
Reduced emission lighting in the improved areas of the school.
2.8 Citzen/Community/Participatory Science
2.8 Citizen/Community/Participatory Science
DNR TIC program installed and managed by students.
Community Partnership
Demonstrate that your school is forming long-term partnerships to foster environmental stewardship and cultivate community wellness through real-world connections.
3.1 Community Partnerships
3.1.1 School Active in Community
Describe at least one environmentally-focused partnership in which your school is working to benefit your community.
John Carroll will be hosting an on-campus field trip for our neighboring feeder school, St. Margarets. 4th and 5th grade students will be visiting our campus to experience various environmental/nature based activities. There will be tree planting, water testing at our pond and a nature based scavenger hunt. Our Green Ambassador students will be th counselors offering assistance to the students.
3.1.2 Community Active in the School
Describe at least one partnership in which a community partner is benefitting the school. These actions and projects occur on or near school grounds with support from the partner.
No records were added by the school.
3.2 Additional Achievements
3.2 Additional Achievements optional
Share any environmentally-related awards, special recognition, certifications, or other achievements that your school, staff or students have accomplished.
Arbor Day Foundation Certification
JC Tree Campus Cert (12.32 MB)
Picture of Certificate