Welcome to Ridgeway Elementary's application website for re-certification as a Maryland Green School! We were certified in 2010, received our first re-certification in 2014, and are seeking our second re-certification in 2018. We are continuing to build our "green" culture and are excited to share our accomplishments!
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Summary
Ridgeway Elementary is located in Severn, MD, just about 7 miles from the BWI Airport. The students in our school come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, with about 25% of the population receiving free and reduced meals. Just over half the students are white, almost a quarter are African American, about 12% are multi-racial, 10% are Hispanic, and 3% are Asian.
Each year, the green practices that have been implemented at Ridgeway seem to become more second-nature. Every grade level in the school learns about some kind of environmental issue or topic in the classroom and/or through a field trip to a nature center. Kindergarten students learn about trees through classroom lessons and a trip to Camp Woodlands. First graders raise monarch butterflies from caterpillars and release them on school property. Second graders also learn about trees through a Primary Talent Development module, and for years one second grade class has raised Diamondback terrapins in the classroom for release on Poplar Island. Third grade students investigate and take action on an environmental issue, such as an overabundance of plastic bags. Fourth graders attend a field trip to Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center to learn about issues involving the Chesapeake Bay. Fifth grade students investigate how pollution affects different spheres of Earth, explore Chesapeake Bay food webs, and learn about water safety through Drownproofing field trips.
In addition to incorporating environmental topics into the curriculum, Ridgeway continues to implement many student-driven sustainability practices. For example, recycling is a part of the Ridgeway culture. All classrooms, cultural arts areas, offices, and work areas have recycling bins for recycling paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, and metal. Twice a week, students helpers empty the bins in designated collection areas. Since 2015, students and staff have recycled over 16,000 pounds of paper! Students participate in a variety of up-cycling initiatives as well. Ridgeway students collected almost 4,500 lunch kits for up-cycling through Terracycle and over 1,500 markers for recycling through Crayola ColorCycle. In addition to reducing our solid waste production, Ridgeway staff and students have become conscious energy savers. All classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and work areas have student-made signs reminding teachers and students to conserve energy by using just one light or turning off electronics that aren't being used. The student Energy Patrol gives weekly awards to classrooms caught using energy-saving practices. Ridgeway students go on "pollution patrol" regularly to try to clean up litter on school property. In addition, students stenciled four storm drains around the building with the phrase "Only Rain Down the Storm Drain" to remind school and community members not to litter or dump anything down the storm drains.
We believe Ridgeway Elementary exemplifies the ideals of a Maryland Green School and we are working hard to build the next generation of environmental stewards.
Ridgeway Elementary is located in Severn, MD, just about 7 miles from the BWI Airport. The students in our school come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, with about 25% of the population receiving free and reduced meals. Just over half the students are white, almost a quarter are African American, about 12% are multi-racial, 10% are Hispanic, and 3% are Asian.
Each year, the green practices that have been implemented at Ridgeway seem to become more second-nature. Every grade level in the school learns about some kind of environmental issue or topic in the classroom and/or through a field trip to a nature center. Kindergarten students learn about trees through classroom lessons and a trip to Camp Woodlands. First graders raise monarch butterflies from caterpillars and release them on school property. Second graders also learn about trees through a Primary Talent Development module, and for years one second grade class has raised Diamondback terrapins in the classroom for release on Poplar Island. Third grade students investigate and take action on an environmental issue, such as an overabundance of plastic bags. Fourth graders attend a field trip to Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center to learn about issues involving the Chesapeake Bay. Fifth grade students investigate how pollution affects different spheres of Earth, explore Chesapeake Bay food webs, and learn about water safety through Drownproofing field trips.
In addition to incorporating environmental topics into the curriculum, Ridgeway continues to implement many student-driven sustainability practices. For example, recycling is a part of the Ridgeway culture. All classrooms, cultural arts areas, offices, and work areas have recycling bins for recycling paper, plastic, cardboard, glass, and metal. Twice a week, students helpers empty the bins in designated collection areas. Since 2015, students and staff have recycled over 16,000 pounds of paper! Students participate in a variety of up-cycling initiatives as well. Ridgeway students collected almost 4,500 lunch kits for up-cycling through Terracycle and over 1,500 markers for recycling through Crayola ColorCycle. In addition to reducing our solid waste production, Ridgeway staff and students have become conscious energy savers. All classrooms, bathrooms, offices, and work areas have student-made signs reminding teachers and students to conserve energy by using just one light or turning off electronics that aren't being used. The student Energy Patrol gives weekly awards to classrooms caught using energy-saving practices. Ridgeway students go on "pollution patrol" regularly to try to clean up litter on school property. In addition, students stenciled four storm drains around the building with the phrase "Only Rain Down the Storm Drain" to remind school and community members not to litter or dump anything down the storm drains.
We believe Ridgeway Elementary exemplifies the ideals of a Maryland Green School and we are working hard to build the next generation of environmental stewards.
Top 5 Accomplishments
1. Solid Waste Reduction: Ridgeway has recycled 16,030 pounds of paper, 4,447 lunch kits, 1,577 markers, and 1,976 pounds of clothing and shoes.
2. "Lend a Hand in Recycling" Artwork: Almost every student in the school had a hand in creating a non-representational art piece using recycled materials that is displayed in the cafeteria.
3. Pollution Prevention: Students in grades 1-5 participate in Pollution Patrol each day during recess to help clean up trash on the school grounds and the Environmental Club also stenciled four storm drains to help prevent waste from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.
4. Environmental Club: Our after-school Environmental Club is extremely popular and has grown to close to 60 students participating each year, with many more students on the waiting list.
5. Schoolwide Celebrations: Ridgeway has increased the number of "green" celebrations, including participating in National Walk to School and Bike to School Days, and presentations by environmental artists and authors.
1. Solid Waste Reduction: Ridgeway has recycled 16,030 pounds of paper, 4,447 lunch kits, 1,577 markers, and 1,976 pounds of clothing and shoes.
2. "Lend a Hand in Recycling" Artwork: Almost every student in the school had a hand in creating a non-representational art piece using recycled materials that is displayed in the cafeteria.
3. Pollution Prevention: Students in grades 1-5 participate in Pollution Patrol each day during recess to help clean up trash on the school grounds and the Environmental Club also stenciled four storm drains to help prevent waste from reaching the Chesapeake Bay.
4. Environmental Club: Our after-school Environmental Club is extremely popular and has grown to close to 60 students participating each year, with many more students on the waiting list.
5. Schoolwide Celebrations: Ridgeway has increased the number of "green" celebrations, including participating in National Walk to School and Bike to School Days, and presentations by environmental artists and authors.