PRINCETON, NJ — Two Princeton public elementary schools have been awarded $2,000 grants through the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program, funded by the New Jersey Education Association, to support outdoor learning and garden improvements.
Community Park Elementary School and Littlebrook Elementary School were among 38 New Jersey public schools and districts to receive funding in this year’s grant cycle, which distributed $180,000 statewide. The round included 13 grants of $10,000 and 25 grants of $2,000. An independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee evaluated proposals.
At Community Park, the grant will fund a new roof for an outdoor chalkboard, fence repairs to keep wildlife out of the school garden, and soil and lumber to restore existing garden beds.
“Thanks to this funding, Community Park will be making some much-needed upgrades to well-worn garden equipment,” said Principal Dineen Gruchacz. “This funding will help ensure future generations of students get to enjoy the garden as much as the current ones.”
Littlebrook will use its grant to install a drip-irrigation system in the pollinator beds surrounding the school.
“This project will help these flowers survive summer weather extremes, as occurred last summer, so that our students can continue to experience a bit of wilderness on their school grounds,” said Principal Luis Ramirez.
Statewide, funded projects span outdoor learning spaces, hydroponics, food waste reduction, energy conservation, and STEM programming. NJEA also supports Sustainable Jersey for Schools as a program underwriter.
“By winning sustainability grants for their school districts, the educators who will implement these programs are, in a practical sense, ensuring a safer, healthier, and fairer world for future generations,” said NJEA President Steve Beatty.
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