Dundalk area schools win grand prizes in county cleanup challenge

Eight schools from the Dundalk area were awarded grants totaling thousands of dollars for their participation in the Baltimore County Public Schools’ tenth annual Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge.

{span}During this year’s challenge, 6,874 volunteers across the county conducted a record-breaking 502 clean-ups, filling 3,228 bags with litter that could have made its way into streams and the Chesapeake Bay.{/span}

“It is rewarding to see the ways in which keeping our communities and waterways litter free is a priority for our young people, and I am grateful for the hard work volunteers put in to make Baltimore County cleaner and greener,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “The more than $38,000 in prize funds awarded to schools for environmental literacy projects are sure to have a lasting impact on students for years to come.”

The Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability and BGE sponsored this year’s challenge, and Padonia Park Club hosted the awards ceremony and 10-year anniversary celebration.

“It is exciting to see such enthusiasm among our students, staff, schools, and community partners in doing what they can to keep our schools and grounds clean and inviting,” said BCPS Superintendent Myriam Rogers. “They understand the value of having a clean and healthy school and community environment and how their work contributes to the educational experience and to being responsible, caring citizens. Congratulations to all those who are being recognized through Clean Green 15.”

Through the litter challenge, BCPS schools and their community supporters competed from May 2023 through April 2024 to see which school communities could record the most litter cleanups, small or large. The program is open to any group, including school-based groups, places of worship, youth groups, civic or community groups, scout troops, sports teams, businesses or other organizations, that wish to help clean up their community. Groups are asked to report their cleanups on behalf of a BCPS school to receive credit toward the grant competition.

Besides picking up litter, Clean Green 15 volunteers collected many tons of bulk trash items from parks, streambanks, schoolyards and other locations all around Baltimore County. The estimated weight total for this year is 19,132 pounds. Clean-ups included schoolchildren organized by teachers during the school day as well as community-based activity.

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County will award grants to the top 24 winning schools to fund school-based instructional projects emphasizing the theme of environmental literacy. Examples could include such projects as installing a reading garden or rain garden, planting trees, field trips, diverting downspouts and environmental education projects.

The following local schools were recognized, including several grand prize winners:

Charlesmont Elementary School won the $5,000 10th Anniversary Grand Prize for VolunteersSandy Plains Elementary School win the $3,500 Grand Prize for Cleanup ResultsBerkshire Elementary School won the $3,500 Grand Prize for VolunteersBattle Monument School won the $1,000 Special School PrizePatapsco High School won the $2,000 1st Prize for High SchoolsSparrows Point High School won the $1,000 3rd Prize for High SchoolsGeneral John Stricker Middle School won the $1,000 3rd Prize for Middle SchoolsEdgemere Elementary School won the $1,000 3rd Prize for Elementary Schools.