MCPS and County DEP to Offer Student Environmental Volunteer Day

WASHINGTON - Oct. 31, 2023 - PRLog -- 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 special Out of School Time (OST) program is out-of-school programming for students throughout the 2023-24 school year. The OST day on Nov. 1 will have students out of school while MCPS teachers have a teachers' work day. OST provides students and families with engaging options on days when school is not in session for students.

"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."

"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."

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."