Long Beach School Honored for Sustainability

Maple Village Waldorf School was recognized in Washington D.C. this week as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for their efforts towards environmental sustainability. At the event, 46 schools and six districts were honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education. Maple Village was one of only 6 private schools to be honored.

“Maple Village has a great philosophy of having little to zero waste and farm to table education for their students and I am proud that they have been selected as a Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education” says Long Beach Mayor, Robert Garcia. “As a city that strives to be a leader in sustainability, we are happy to see our schools getting such recognition.”

Maple Village Waldorf School was nominated by California Department of Education for demonstrating a positive environmental impact, offering a healthy school environment, and weaving environmental literacy, expected outcomes and sustainability requirements into their overall curriculum. By focusing on reusable produces they have diverted 95% of waste, and by removing all turf and expanding their play yard to create a dirt and mulch play area as well as collecting rainwater for their raised edible gardens, they reduced their water usage by 50%.

They endeavor to have a totally chemical-free environment using Green Cleaning Products. Children take part in preparing and cooking 100% organic food which includes access to the “picking garden”. Maple Village believes that education will support families’ and staff’s overall health and wellness, and offers programs and workshops such as conscious parenting, cooking classes, yoga and meditation, and professional development in Environmental Principles and Concepts from their partner, TreePeople, which have shown great results in the community.

Dean of Education, Lisa J. McCarthy shares, “Our school opened with a goal of having a small environmental footprint. We are very proud not only of what our school community has achieved on campus, but also how they have integrated these habits into their daily lives.”

Do you know of sustainable efforts in Long Beach that more people should know about? Email us your nominations for the next Sustainability Spotlight.