Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for K-12 public schools in New Jersey. The initiative provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and recognize schools that pursue a balanced sustainability program. It was launched in fall 2014.
Why Participate?
Research shows that sustainable practices:
- result in healthier schools,
- reduce operating costs,
- free up money for classrooms, and
- contribute to student success.
New Digital Schools Program
The Digital Schools Program, which was created in June 2020, replaces the Future Ready Schools – New Jersey (FRS-NJ) program that ceased in 2019. Digital Schools integrates FRS-NJ topic areas and content into the Sustainable Jersey for Schools initiative.
The Digital Schools Program supports schools in meeting the challenges of digital learning with regard to sustainability.
Schools already active in Sustainable Jersey for Schools will have opportunities to earn more points and achieve higher levels of certification. For districts formerly active in the FRS-NJ program who made progress completing the FRS-NJ program requirements during the past two years, actions will count toward meeting new requirements if the standard is met.
Sustainable Jersey for Schools will provide increased professional staff support, detailed guidance material, training, technical assistance, and to ancillary funding access.
Video Archive
View the videos below to learn more about Sustainable Jersey for Schools.
- Facebook Live Event: Announcing the “Future” of FRS-NJ: Sustainable Jersey Digital Schools
- Getting Started as a Sustainable School
- Sustainability – Helping the Bottom Line Financially as well as Educationally
- Sustainability in Schools is Much More Than “Going Green”
The effort is being led by Laurence Cocco, former director of Educational Technology at the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). For more information, click here or contact Larry Cocco at (609) 771-2802 or coccol@tcnj.edu.
For more information on Sustainable Jersey for Schools or NJSBA Sustainability Services, contact sustainability@njsba.org.