Montgomery County Public Schools and County Department of Environmental Protection to Offer Student Environmental Volunteer Day on Wednesday, Nov. 1

For Immediate Release: Monday, October 30, 2023

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will offer a Student Environment Volunteer Day from 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Gaithersburg High School. Students will learn about sustainability and help beautify the community. They also will work to enhance the health of the environment by planting native plants and trees in the stormwater management gardens around the school.

Gaithersburg High School is located at 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg.

The student environment volunteer days is part of a special Out of School Time (OST) program offered by Montgomery County Recreation, in partnership with the Montgomery County Public Schools. The OST days are designed with free out-of-school programming for students throughout the 2023-24 school year. Kids Day Out for elementary school students and the Teens Day Out program for middle school students ages 11-14 are free to County residents. Each day of programming takes place from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Students should make sure to bring lunch.

The OST day on Nov. 1 will have students out of school while MCPS teachers have a teachers’ work day. OST provide students and families with engaging options on days when school is not in session for students. These in-person and/or virtual activities will address academic skills, physical and emotional wellness, art, and digital learning skills.

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“We know that addressing and combatting climate change is the top priority issue for young people,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Our students care and are worried about climate change because it will detrimentally impact their health and welfare for their entire life. I am glad that our Department of Environment has partnered with MCPS to create this volunteer opportunity at Gaithersburg High School. When young people are empowered to feel that they are contributing to improving the environment, they will be encouraged to do more. I look forward to DEP and MCPS creating more climate related volunteer and engagement activities for students throughout the County.”

The event will be coordinated by the MCPS Office of Facilities Management, Division of Sustainability and Compliance in support of the Board of Education, Policy ECA, Sustainability , which includes the adoption of “measures to address resiliency and awareness, such as increasing the tree canopy and outdoor educational spaces on MCPS properties and mitigating stormwater runoff.”

“We are excited to offer students activities outside the school day that are engaging and foster leadership skills,” said MCPS Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight, “This day will benefit the environment, teach students about environmental stewardship, beautify the school grounds and help open doors to possible green careers in the future. Together, we will address climate preparedness, mitigate stormwater runoff, and nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.”

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The 2010 Memorandum of Understanding and Right of Access Agreement between DEP and MCPS, establishes shared maintenance responsibilities for stormwater management facilities.

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This agreement provides an opportunity for students from all over the County to work with educators and the government to plant more than 2,000 local species.

“This partnership between DEP and MCPS has created an opportunity for Montgomery County students to learn about teamwork, climate goals and action plans,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “It is a great opportunity for students to get their hands dirty while learning environmental stewardship.”

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Media contact: Aaron J. Pope: Aaron.pope@montgomerycounty

Release ID: 23-481
Media Contact: Aaron J. Pope, 2408889903
Categories: Environment

For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=44242