Courtesy photo
The Green Team receives state recognition
Green Brook Public Schools
Newly established this school year, the Green Team at the Green Brook Middle School is dedicated to sustainability, gardening, and environmental awareness.
On June 11th, the Green Team was honored at a ceremony held at the Governor’s Mansion sponsored by the Drumthwacket Foundation for their impactful work on sustainability.
Out of three state finalists, the GBMS Green Team took first place in the 2024 NJ Student Climate Challenge for their project, titled “Wild Over Worms.” This sustainable project addressed food waste, organic composting, and organic farming. The team was supported by staff members, Christina Berquist, Mary Wilson, and Philip Muñiz.
For the winning project, the students set up a worm farm to tackle food waste in the cafeteria. They collected food scraps daily to feed the worms. Generous plant donations from Hionis Greenhouse were used to grow organic vegetables for this season and beautify the school’s front entrance and courtyard with flowers, and the compost that the worms created was added to the soil to help the garden grow.
Throughout the school year, the Green Team alsorenovated a milkweed garden to attract pollinators and birds, set up a hydroponic garden system in the winter and used the produce they grew to make salads, pickles, and other recipes.
Students of diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities came together to create a thriving ecosystem of social connection. Working together has enhanced the students’ sense of belonging and community, fostering a heart for conservation.
The Green Team is comprised of 5th through 8th grade students Ira Beutner, Yohan Brito, Valentina Condina, Evan Connolly, George Deng, Yanari Galindo, Raima Jain, Torey Kasar, Steven Maxfield, Paris McCall, Matthew Mendo, Angelo Orneta, and Dylan Ortiz.
