Folger McKinsey is proud of its Green School culture and intends to allow past and current programs and achievements to serve as a path to a continued and successful focus on developing environmental stewards. In addition to maintaining and strengthening existing lessons, programs, learning structures and partnerships, Folger has plans that involve staff, students and the community as a whole. Green School goals for the Folger community include:
Within 4 years:
Connect (this) Green School website to the school official website –
In an effort to share the Folger Green School story so that it can continue to flourish, this application will be maintained and added to the school’s home page. The School Improvement Team’s (SIT) Green School Committee will continue the work of managing the process. This solidifies the school’s commitment to being green and enhances the connection to the community, as true environmental stewardship is something that must occur not just within the school walls.
Attain the AACPS Schools Wellness School of Distinction Award –
The SIT team Green School committee will complete this application, which shares many shared ideals of the Maryland Green School program, including physical environment, nutrition, health, physical activity, wellness, and family/community engagement. The AACPS Wellness Schools of Distinction Award recognizes schools that demonstrate a high priority for the health and well-being of students, staff, and school supporters by going beyond the curriculum to produce positive outcomes for the entire school community. http://www.aacps.org/wellness/schoolsofdistinction.asp
Install signage in the OC – Outdoor Classroom
Funds from a STEM grant received in 2016 are earmarked for the addition of signage to the courtyard outdoor classroom. The idea is to create signposts to inspire learning at the components of the OC, such as the water feature, bog, butterfly garden and raised garden beds. While this environment is conducive to exploration and boundless learning opportunities, such signposts would facilitate desired outcomes for different grade levels. SIT/Green School committee, comprised of representation of every grade level and department will lead this effort to ensure that this addition benefits the range of students and visitors to the OC, that the design complements the natural environment, and can be maintained by staff and students, and even possibly enhanced or changed over time to maximize learning and engagement.
Apply for Eco-Schools USA Designation
As a Maryland Green School and a National Green Ribbon School, Folger has its sights set on receiving the Eco-Schools USA Silver Award! https://www.nwf.org/Eco-Schools-USA/Become-an-Eco-School.aspx While it’s our hope that Folger will attain Maryland Sustainable Green School Certification and thus not be required to re-certify, having done so successfully four times, Folger has no intention of resting on our laurels! This pursuit will become a priority of the SIP and Green School Committee.
Strengthen partnership with middle and high school student environmental clubs to lay foundation for continued involvement of Folger students as they matriculate
While Folger already enjoys effective partnerships with both the middle (SPMS) and high school (SPHS), this is focused on staff collaboration, curriculum and enlisting high school students to support projects, such as environmental contest judging and Green Apple Day volunteers. Through OC2 meetings, middle and high school students will participate to inspire Folger students and model future opportunities. This will make the path for Folger 5th graders very clear so that they may continue their environmental commitment beyond their time at Folger. As such, increased involvement from SPMS and SPHS students from the service and environmental clubs at both schools will strengthen the Folger Green School programs themselves.
Implement paper recycling fundraising program
Since the school is dedicated to promoting the three Rs of the environmental movement and has enjoyed great success in recycling programs that produce funding, such as aluminum can and printer cartridge recycling, it’s time to resume a similar paper recycling program. Prior to the school’s construction project, Folger participated in Abitibi paper recycling. This program, as well as another option, are under consideration for implementation. Classroom helpers would be assigned to work with the student-led recycling team for regular collection, thus promoting the program within the school effectively. Through PTO and OC2 , we would engage the community. Based upon the annual magazine recycling contest the school sponsors each year, community support is well established and the result would be increased funds to benefit green school initiatives.
Host school-wide, community outdoor event to promote connection to environment and campus learning environment
The school community has always enjoyed great support and success when hosting events that bridge the school-home connection. In years past, celebrations such as Math, Story and Science Nights have drawn hundreds of students and parents back to school to engage in learning and fun that provides insight into the educational environment that our students are fortunate to experience every day. PTO, OC2 and teachers believe it’s time to add Green School Night to the line-up! With the hope of setting up learning stations both inside and out that will give everyone in attendance a sense of what environmental literacy is all about at Folger, we know that we will promote learning for all of our students, as well as spark interest in our extra-curricular club from both students and adults, adding new supporters to the programs that serve as the backbone for green school programming and maintaining our outdoor learning environments. A curriculum night like this will also showcase and strengthen many of our community partners, key to our continued success for obtaining materials, resources, and support.
Within 8 years:
Expansion of recess and outdoor learning areas, including installation of natural playscape
This exciting project is already in the works and is a priority of PTO in its fundraising efforts on behalf of the school. With a student population of more than 600, it’s crucial to provide ample space and an environment that appropriately engages them. This is certainly true of recess when learning continues in that ever-important, yet different and independent manner this daily time affords. The school’s current play structures are not large enough to accommodate the significant groups at recess. PTO has formed a committee to work on design options, which are underway and includes work with Arlington Echo, the AACPS Outdoor Education division. Race for Education, the second annual school fundraiser with more than $20,000 in anticipated income, will earmark more than half of its annual revenue each year for this project until completion. In addition to enriching the playground, this will also augment the outdoor learning environment that teachers regularly employ to allow students to engage in hands-on learning and make real-world connections.
Revitalize the school meadow
Prior to the school’s revitalization project, Folger had installed a meadow in the back of the school as part of the Chesapeake Connections program of Arlington Echo. This habitat was not just aesthetically pleasing, it provided for enriching learning opportunities, as well as wonderful recreation with its intersecting walking paths. Evidence of the meadow is still there, but it needs attention and restoration, since the construction project resulted in its overgrowth and even destruction of some of its components. SIT, OC2 and PTO are eager to resurrect this once flourishing campus component. The objective is to engage external resources to prepare the area, have students participate in as much planting and other site work as possible through classroom time and during Green Apple Day and other focused outdoor lessons, as well as OC2 working toward this goal. Additionally, depending upon the scope determined after the design, this may be another opportunity for an Eagle Scout project or SPHS Leadership Institute Capstone project.
Green School will be the emphasis of the AACPS Triple- E Program, Enhancing Elementary Excellence
Folger is already eager with anticipation as to what the implementation of the County’s Triple E program will mean to the school and specifically, the Folger Green School program. Triple-E allows students to work in teams to collaboratively ask questions, creatively solve problems, and enthusiastically learn through hands on exploration. As an additional fifth class in the cultural arts rotation, our students will work on real-world problems with teachers and other professionals from the community. The plan is to make environmental literacy and the green school program the essence of Triple-E implementation at Folger, both as it relates to the STEM and Global Studies components of Triple-E. http://www.aacps.org/html/Parents/parenthandbook.pdf
Within 12 years:
Creation of community walking path and development of walking program
The final component of the natural playscape expansion (cited above) is the addition of a walking path that encompasses as much of the campus as possible. This resource will be a wonderful addition to PE classes and recess. Additionally, the stage is already set to create a walking program that incents students to participate, record and amass their mileage. The connections to learning abound! Finally, the long range goal is that the community will view this path as an incredible asset, garnering support for its maintenance through the addition of both external funding and volunteers. This too may come to fruition through an Eagle Scout and/or SPHS Leadership Capstone project, in addition to the PTO efforts already in the works.
Of course, these goals are a work in progress and will be re-visited and re-prioritized as opportunities and requirements develop over time, be it based upon direction from the school system, administration, student interest, and funding. At the heart of these goals and the continued success of the Folger Green School Program will be the continued prioritization of this effort as part of the School Improvement Plan each year and the existence and support of OC2, the Outdoor Classroom Club. These two elements allow for all stakeholders to be actively involved in planning and implementation, providing for sustainability of the Green School program, and ensuring that environmental stewardship continues to flourish at Folger McKinsey!
Within 4 years:
Connect (this) Green School website to the school official website –
In an effort to share the Folger Green School story so that it can continue to flourish, this application will be maintained and added to the school’s home page. The School Improvement Team’s (SIT) Green School Committee will continue the work of managing the process. This solidifies the school’s commitment to being green and enhances the connection to the community, as true environmental stewardship is something that must occur not just within the school walls.
Attain the AACPS Schools Wellness School of Distinction Award –
The SIT team Green School committee will complete this application, which shares many shared ideals of the Maryland Green School program, including physical environment, nutrition, health, physical activity, wellness, and family/community engagement. The AACPS Wellness Schools of Distinction Award recognizes schools that demonstrate a high priority for the health and well-being of students, staff, and school supporters by going beyond the curriculum to produce positive outcomes for the entire school community. http://www.aacps.org/wellness/schoolsofdistinction.asp
Install signage in the OC – Outdoor Classroom
Funds from a STEM grant received in 2016 are earmarked for the addition of signage to the courtyard outdoor classroom. The idea is to create signposts to inspire learning at the components of the OC, such as the water feature, bog, butterfly garden and raised garden beds. While this environment is conducive to exploration and boundless learning opportunities, such signposts would facilitate desired outcomes for different grade levels. SIT/Green School committee, comprised of representation of every grade level and department will lead this effort to ensure that this addition benefits the range of students and visitors to the OC, that the design complements the natural environment, and can be maintained by staff and students, and even possibly enhanced or changed over time to maximize learning and engagement.
Apply for Eco-Schools USA Designation
As a Maryland Green School and a National Green Ribbon School, Folger has its sights set on receiving the Eco-Schools USA Silver Award! https://www.nwf.org/Eco-Schools-USA/Become-an-Eco-School.aspx While it’s our hope that Folger will attain Maryland Sustainable Green School Certification and thus not be required to re-certify, having done so successfully four times, Folger has no intention of resting on our laurels! This pursuit will become a priority of the SIP and Green School Committee.
Strengthen partnership with middle and high school student environmental clubs to lay foundation for continued involvement of Folger students as they matriculate
While Folger already enjoys effective partnerships with both the middle (SPMS) and high school (SPHS), this is focused on staff collaboration, curriculum and enlisting high school students to support projects, such as environmental contest judging and Green Apple Day volunteers. Through OC2 meetings, middle and high school students will participate to inspire Folger students and model future opportunities. This will make the path for Folger 5th graders very clear so that they may continue their environmental commitment beyond their time at Folger. As such, increased involvement from SPMS and SPHS students from the service and environmental clubs at both schools will strengthen the Folger Green School programs themselves.
Implement paper recycling fundraising program
Since the school is dedicated to promoting the three Rs of the environmental movement and has enjoyed great success in recycling programs that produce funding, such as aluminum can and printer cartridge recycling, it’s time to resume a similar paper recycling program. Prior to the school’s construction project, Folger participated in Abitibi paper recycling. This program, as well as another option, are under consideration for implementation. Classroom helpers would be assigned to work with the student-led recycling team for regular collection, thus promoting the program within the school effectively. Through PTO and OC2 , we would engage the community. Based upon the annual magazine recycling contest the school sponsors each year, community support is well established and the result would be increased funds to benefit green school initiatives.
Host school-wide, community outdoor event to promote connection to environment and campus learning environment
The school community has always enjoyed great support and success when hosting events that bridge the school-home connection. In years past, celebrations such as Math, Story and Science Nights have drawn hundreds of students and parents back to school to engage in learning and fun that provides insight into the educational environment that our students are fortunate to experience every day. PTO, OC2 and teachers believe it’s time to add Green School Night to the line-up! With the hope of setting up learning stations both inside and out that will give everyone in attendance a sense of what environmental literacy is all about at Folger, we know that we will promote learning for all of our students, as well as spark interest in our extra-curricular club from both students and adults, adding new supporters to the programs that serve as the backbone for green school programming and maintaining our outdoor learning environments. A curriculum night like this will also showcase and strengthen many of our community partners, key to our continued success for obtaining materials, resources, and support.
Within 8 years:
Expansion of recess and outdoor learning areas, including installation of natural playscape
This exciting project is already in the works and is a priority of PTO in its fundraising efforts on behalf of the school. With a student population of more than 600, it’s crucial to provide ample space and an environment that appropriately engages them. This is certainly true of recess when learning continues in that ever-important, yet different and independent manner this daily time affords. The school’s current play structures are not large enough to accommodate the significant groups at recess. PTO has formed a committee to work on design options, which are underway and includes work with Arlington Echo, the AACPS Outdoor Education division. Race for Education, the second annual school fundraiser with more than $20,000 in anticipated income, will earmark more than half of its annual revenue each year for this project until completion. In addition to enriching the playground, this will also augment the outdoor learning environment that teachers regularly employ to allow students to engage in hands-on learning and make real-world connections.
Revitalize the school meadow
Prior to the school’s revitalization project, Folger had installed a meadow in the back of the school as part of the Chesapeake Connections program of Arlington Echo. This habitat was not just aesthetically pleasing, it provided for enriching learning opportunities, as well as wonderful recreation with its intersecting walking paths. Evidence of the meadow is still there, but it needs attention and restoration, since the construction project resulted in its overgrowth and even destruction of some of its components. SIT, OC2 and PTO are eager to resurrect this once flourishing campus component. The objective is to engage external resources to prepare the area, have students participate in as much planting and other site work as possible through classroom time and during Green Apple Day and other focused outdoor lessons, as well as OC2 working toward this goal. Additionally, depending upon the scope determined after the design, this may be another opportunity for an Eagle Scout project or SPHS Leadership Institute Capstone project.
Green School will be the emphasis of the AACPS Triple- E Program, Enhancing Elementary Excellence
Folger is already eager with anticipation as to what the implementation of the County’s Triple E program will mean to the school and specifically, the Folger Green School program. Triple-E allows students to work in teams to collaboratively ask questions, creatively solve problems, and enthusiastically learn through hands on exploration. As an additional fifth class in the cultural arts rotation, our students will work on real-world problems with teachers and other professionals from the community. The plan is to make environmental literacy and the green school program the essence of Triple-E implementation at Folger, both as it relates to the STEM and Global Studies components of Triple-E. http://www.aacps.org/html/Parents/parenthandbook.pdf
Within 12 years:
Creation of community walking path and development of walking program
The final component of the natural playscape expansion (cited above) is the addition of a walking path that encompasses as much of the campus as possible. This resource will be a wonderful addition to PE classes and recess. Additionally, the stage is already set to create a walking program that incents students to participate, record and amass their mileage. The connections to learning abound! Finally, the long range goal is that the community will view this path as an incredible asset, garnering support for its maintenance through the addition of both external funding and volunteers. This too may come to fruition through an Eagle Scout and/or SPHS Leadership Capstone project, in addition to the PTO efforts already in the works.
Of course, these goals are a work in progress and will be re-visited and re-prioritized as opportunities and requirements develop over time, be it based upon direction from the school system, administration, student interest, and funding. At the heart of these goals and the continued success of the Folger Green School Program will be the continued prioritization of this effort as part of the School Improvement Plan each year and the existence and support of OC2, the Outdoor Classroom Club. These two elements allow for all stakeholders to be actively involved in planning and implementation, providing for sustainability of the Green School program, and ensuring that environmental stewardship continues to flourish at Folger McKinsey!