Willards Elementary continues to make intentional changes that promote awareness and develop “going green” practices for our school and community. In 2016, we were certified as a Maryland Green School. Leading up to our certification, our students, staff and community were excited and eager to pursue practices that would protect the environment, promote a healthier lifestyle and help guarantee the future of our children. Grade levels worked on environmental projects, investigations on the effects of pollution in waterways, conserving energy and planting a garden just to name a few. Teachers participated in several professional development opportunities offered through the Ward Museum. Businesses within the Willards community were eager to join the “going green” movement. Students participated in walking field trips to the Willards Post Office and Iron Horse Restaurant. The Iron Horse worked collaboratively with the school to harvest and use vegetables from the garden. A local farmer in Willards, Sidney Richardson, was granted a monetary award that he presented to our school in order to assist with the cost of the creation and maintenance of our garden. The Lions Club provided funding to secure Artists in Residents for several of the grade levels to learn more about “going green”.
To date, Willards Elementary continues to implement sustainable practices within our school. Teachers have continued to engage in professional development opportunities while the students in grade levels PK – 3 are involved with various environmental lessons. As we move forward, you will see students utilizing our outdoor learning spaces, families carpooling, delicious vegetables fresh from our community garden, energy being conserved and recycling occurring throughout the building! To help fund the expansion of our community garden, Willards Elementary was the recipient of a $2,500 of the 2020 America’s Farmers Grow Communities grant, generously donated to us by Harriet Hammond of Hammonds Farm. We look forward to the expansion of our garden and watching our students and staff grow their “going green” practices!
To date, Willards Elementary continues to implement sustainable practices within our school. Teachers have continued to engage in professional development opportunities while the students in grade levels PK – 3 are involved with various environmental lessons. As we move forward, you will see students utilizing our outdoor learning spaces, families carpooling, delicious vegetables fresh from our community garden, energy being conserved and recycling occurring throughout the building! To help fund the expansion of our community garden, Willards Elementary was the recipient of a $2,500 of the 2020 America’s Farmers Grow Communities grant, generously donated to us by Harriet Hammond of Hammonds Farm. We look forward to the expansion of our garden and watching our students and staff grow their “going green” practices!