The Delaware Pathways to Green Schools program, a program to support schools with sustainability initiatives and goals, awarded mini grants to nine Delaware K-12 schools.
Led by Green Building United and funded by Energize Delaware, the program invited schools to submit creative grant proposals that demonstrate how each project will educate and engage students, families, and the community in the discussion about energy consumption and climate change.
“This funding is meant to help schools that don’t have the resources to take on extra sustainability projects. This year, we hope this funding can also go towards meeting the critical needs our teachers face amidst the ongoing coronavirus crisis,” said Suzanne Sebastian, Energize Delaware’s program manager.
This year’s mini grants recipients include five public schools and four private schools across the state:
Appoquinimink High School, Appoquinimink School District – Awarded funding to install a water bottle filling station to promote the use of reusable water bottles instead of disposables.
Academia Antonia Alonso – Awarded funding to install a water bottle filling station to promote the use of reusable water bottles instead of disposables.
Brandywine Springs Elementary, Red Clay Consolidated School District – Awarded funding to support their ongoing water and waste conservation efforts by installing a water bottle filling station.
Christ the Teacher Catholic School – Awarded funding to continue ongoing energy efficiency projects by replacing old light fixtures with LEDs.
North Star Elementary School, Red Clay Consolidated School District – Awarded funding to supplement outdoor learning by installing a greenhouse with solar powered fans.
Odyssey Charter School – Awarded funding to purchase tables and benches make of recycled materials for a “Pop Up” outdoor classroom to engage 300+ students in learning about sustainability topics such as climate change and waste.
Sussex Academy – Awarded funding to plant carbon sequestering trees and native grasses at the high school campus in advance of a COVID-safe Earth Day Celebration.
UrbanPromise – Awarded funding to transform two city lots into outdoor learning spaces, reduce the heat island effect, sequester carbon, and reduce building energy use by planting trees and shrubs.
Ursuline Academy – Awarded funding for alternative energy classroom kits to support grades 4-5.