SAN JOSE, CA – As part of Earth Month, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) renews its commitment to supporting environmental education and sustainable practices in learning spaces encouraging students, teachers, staff and the great Santa Clara community to engage in roles as environmental stewards.
The SCCOE provides resources such as educator toolkits, curriculum, outdoor spaces and communities of practice for educators to incorporate environmental education into engaging lessons taught in and outside of the classroom.
“When students understand their connection to the environment, they are empowered to take action to address critical environmental challenges now and in the future,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “That is why the SCCOE is proud to equip educators with the knowledge and resources to teach and engage students in environmental education.”
The SCCOE Integrated STEAM Department (iSTEAM) offers specialized professional development opportunities and instructional support throughout the year to assist educators in implementing environmental literacy, climate action, and sustainability projects in their schools and districts. An
Earth Week Educator Toolkit was created as a resource for educators as they celebrate National Environmental Education Week (April 16-22) in their classrooms and beyond. Classes have access to the Walden West Outdoor School, which provides environmental education for students in grades 5 and 6 in a residential camp setting.
Operations across school buildings and district facilities model sustainable and resilient practices. The Growing Gardens Projects connects schools throughout Santa Clara County through a network of educators to learn about establishing garden beds for students to learn about sustainable farming practices, plant life cycles, and therapeutic activities. In March the Special Education Gardening Program received a grant from a local McDonald’s franchisee to sustain and expand their garden program
Schools throughout the county are models for environmental excellence. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Bellarmine College Preparatory as U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School and Fremont Union High School District as a 2023 California Green Ribbon Schools Awardee. Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools noted, “Hearty congratulations to Bellarmine College Preparatory and the Fremont Union High School District for their achievement as Green Ribbon Schools.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon School recognition award honors schools, districts, colleges and universities for exceptional efforts in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. For more information about the Green Ribbon Schools, visit
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/greenribbonprog.asp
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.