CES Earns Green School Award
Posted: April 21, 2008

Christ Episcopal School has earned the prestigious Green School Designation awarded by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE). Over the course of the past two years, we have demonstrated a commitment to integrating environmental education throughout our pre-K-8 curriculum, we have adopted practices to reduce our waste and energy consumption and we have developed relationships within our local community to promote a healthier environment. This award reflects our integrated approach that addresses environmental issues. The award recognizes our commitment to developing a philosophy and program that will have a positive affect on the future of our planet. At CES, we believe that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. By nurturing our students’ interest in and appreciation of nature, and by helping them to understand current and future environmental challenges, we are guiding them as they develop a sense of stewardship for the environment. Education is the key to changing policies and practices that can either help or harm our environment. CES is committed to empowering children who will make a difference in our world.

Our 2008 Earth Day Celebration, scheduled for Friday, April 25, began with CES' daily chapel service and a contemplative walk through our Children’s Garden and Outdoor Classroom. <http://www.ces-rockville.org/gallery/index.aspx?LinkID=28&ClassID=&TeamID=&ModuleID=160> Parents, teachers and students created the garden last year, to develop our children’s interest and appreciation of nature. The most recent addition to the garden/outdoor classroom is a Learning Pond <http://www.ces-rockville.org/gallery/index.aspx?ModuleID=160&LinkID=94> that will provide opportunities to enrich our curriculum and promote greater understanding of pond habitats and ecosystems through meaningful, hands-on investigations. The pond <http://www.ces-rockville.org/gallery/index.aspx?ModuleID=160&LinkID=94> is testament to the devotion and hard work of parents of CES students, teachers and local Boy Scouts from local Troop 447 (led by CES Alum Max Kashatus, '06 <http://www.ces-rockville.org/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=1918&ModuleID=183&NEWSPID=1>). The pond represents the spirit of what it means to be a ‘Green School’. It has strengthened the connection between CES and the local community while creating an outdoor learning space where children will develop greater understanding about science and our environment while becoming responsible for a small part of their world. 

Photo Gallery: CES Community Builds Learning Pond for Outdoor Garden/Classroom >> <http://www.ces-rockville.org/gallery/index.aspx?LinkID=94&ClassID=&TeamID=&ModuleID=160>

Photo Gallery: CES Children's Garden & Outdoor Classroom >> <http://www.ces-rockville.org/gallery/index.aspx?LinkID=28&ClassID=&TeamID=&ModuleID=160>