Spotlight & Awards

April 2025: Students Shine at Annual District Earth Day and Green Fair

Students across the district showcased their creativity and passion for the environment at this year’s Earth Day and Green Fair, held [insert date if known]. The annual event brought the school community together to highlight student-led sustainability projects, each offering innovative ideas to protect the planet.

The celebration featured a wide range of engaging exhibits—from recycling initiatives and green energy models to school garden plans and climate awareness campaigns. Local eco-friendly vendors also participated in the Green Fair portion of the event, sharing sustainable products, services, and practices with attendees.

With interactive displays, hands-on activities, and strong community involvement, the Earth Day and Green Fair was both educational and inspiring. The event reaffirmed the district’s commitment to environmental stewardship and showcased the powerful role students play in driving meaningful change.

This year’s celebration was a testament to what can be achieved when students, schools, and the broader community unite in pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future.

October 2024: GLC School Receives Sustainability Champion Award

The George L. Catrambone Elementary School has been honored with the prestigious Sustainability Champion Award for its outstanding achievements in sustainability. This award is given to the schools that score the highest in their respective categories — elementary, middle, and high school — recognizing their leadership and commitment to creating a more sustainable future. By receiving this award, George L. Catrambone Elementary School has demonstrated its dedication to fostering an environmentally conscious culture among students, faculty, and the broader community.

October 2023: GLC School Receives Digital Schools Star

The George L. Catrambone Elementary School has received the Digital Schools Star for 2023! Seventeen schools across the state of NJ earned Digital Schools Star recognition as part of their Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. A Digital Schools Star embraces the mindful implementation of effective digital learning and communication tools, resources, and practices. Star schools document their successful digital learning strategies in the action areas of leadership, learning practices, technology access, school culture and climate, and student learning to qualify for star recognition.

October 2023: GLC School Receives Elementary Champions Award

The George L. Catrambone Elementary School received the Sustainability Champions award in the Elementary School category from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes the New Jersey school certified in 2023 with the highest number of points in their category: elementary, middle or high school. The baseline bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points and silver-level certification requires 350 points. The George L. Catrambone Elementary School earned an amazing 880 points! This is the 5th time GLC has won this award since 2017!

October 2023: LBMS Receives Elementary Champions Award

The Long Branch Middle School received the Sustainability Champions award in the Middle School category from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes the New Jersey school certified in 2023 with the highest number of points in their category: elementary, middle or high school. The baseline bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points and silver-level certification requires 350 points. The Long Branch Middle School earned an amazing 500 points! This is the 4th time LBMS has won the middle school champions award since 2017!

October 2023: LBHS Receives High School Champions Award

The Long Branch High School received the Sustainability Champions award in the High School category from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes the New Jersey school certified in 2023 with the highest number of points in their category: elementary, middle or high school. The baseline bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points and silver-level certification requires 350 points. The Long Branch High School earned an amazing 455 points! This is the 3rd time LBHS has won the high school champions award since 2017!

October 2023: Long Branch Public Schools Retain Highest Sustainability Certification

Long Branch Public Schools' retention of Silver Status certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a testament to the district's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness. Through consistent efforts, ongoing initiatives, and active student involvement, the district has not only maintained its high certification but also continued to shine as a model of sustainability in New Jersey. As Long Branch Public Schools continues to lead by example, they inspire others to join the journey toward a greener and more sustainable future for all.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Long Branch Public Schools' sustainability journey is the involvement of students. The district recognizes that young minds are the future, and they have actively engaged students in sustainability initiatives. This not only empowers students to become responsible citizens but also ensures the longevity of sustainable practices within the district.

September 2023: Long Branch Public Schools Receive $109k Tree Grant

After an effort spearheaded by Ann Degnan, Assistant Business Administrator for Facilities & District Green Team Members, our school district was one of two in the county and twenty-three in the state to be awarded the "Trees for Schools" grant.

Twenty-three public school districts, two public charter schools, and nine public colleges and universities have been awarded $4.55 million to plant trees on campuses across the state under the Trees for Schools program. Grants range from $12,000 to $250,000 and will fund costs associated with planning, site preparation, trees, planting, watering, monitoring, and related expenses over a three-year period. Together, these projects will help mitigate climate change and its impacts through the planting of over 3,000 trees across the state. In many cases, the grants will benefit neighborhoods that are devoid of trees and experience elevated temperatures due to excess pavement. They will improve the learning environment and offer educational opportunities.

June 2023: GLC School Green Team Nationally Recognized

The GLC School Green Team has been nationally recognized by Project Green Schools for the Green Difference Award Spotlight!

"George L. Catrambone School is leading a healthy living initiative in Long Branch, NJ. GLC’s Student Green Team, along with Green Team leaders Michele Morey and Kelli Shaughnessy, worked to expand the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program in their school by highlighting the importance of fresh, locally sourced produce.

The Student Green Team aimed to get the entire school involved, creating a campaign promoting healthy foods and delivering fresh fruit or vegetable snacks to their peers. The Student Green Team also created a website to share their knowledge of different produce, showcase how they can use certain fruits or vegetables, and provide monthly newsletters to aid students, families, and teachers in promoting the healthy living initiative. Additionally, any leftover food did not go to waste! Leftovers are put in the school compost bin, which is used in the school garden to grow even more fruits and vegetables!"

April 2023: Long Branch Public Schools Receive Highest Sustainability Certification

Eco-Schools USA is a National Wildlife Federation initiative that employs teams of students, administrators, and educators within schools to foster environmental education and stewardship. The third and most esteemed accolade within the Eco-Schools USA program is the Green Flag Award. To qualify for this award, a school must fulfill at least three pathways according to the Seven Step Framework. The George L. Catrambone Elementary School now stands as one of the few schools in the State of New Jersey to Earn Three Distinctive Green Flags! Congratulations!

October 2022: Long Branch Public Schools Receive Highest Sustainability Certification

In a significant milestone for Long Branch Public Schools, every school in the district has achieved Silver Status certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. This achievement reflects the district's commitment to sustainability, environmental consciousness, and the overall well-being of its students and community. In this blog post, we'll explore what Sustainable Jersey for Schools is, what Silver Status certification means, and how Long Branch Public Schools reached this commendable milestone.

The Silver Status certification is a significant achievement within the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program. To attain Silver Status, schools must accumulate a specific number of points by successfully completing various sustainability initiatives and projects. These initiatives can range from energy conservation efforts to community outreach programs.

Reaching Silver Status certification demonstrates a school district's commitment to making sustainable choices and promoting environmental stewardship among students and staff. It serves as a recognition of the district's dedication to creating a healthier and more sustainable learning environment.

October 2022: GLC Elementary Receives Sustainability Champions Awards

The George L. Catrambone Elementary School received the Sustainability Champions award in the Elementary School category from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes the New Jersey school certified in 2022 with the highest number of points in their category: elementary, middle or high school. The baseline bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points and silver-level certification requires 350 points. The George L. Catrambone Elementary School earned a staggering 905 points! The school was also awarded the Digital Schools Star.

October 2022: LB Middle School Receive Sustainability Champions Awards

The Long Branch Middle School received the Sustainability Champions award in the middle school category from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. The Sustainability Champion Award recognizes the New Jersey school certified in 2022 with the highest number of points in their category: elementary, middle or high school. The baseline bronze-level certification requires a minimum of 150 points and silver-level certification requires 350 points. The Long Branch Middle School earned an amazing 510 points! The school was also awarded the Digital Schools Star.

June 2022: Long Branch Public Schools Receive $10k for Living Wall

The grant afforded the creation of a Living Wall to connect students, staff, and the community of Long Branch to the beauty of nature. The goal was to innovate, create, nurture, and maintain a sustainable space for all who enter the school’s halls. The GLC School Living Wall Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was the culmination of hard work and dedication from numerous students and LBPS stakeholders. We would like to thank the many individuals who were involved in its success including a special thank you to the NJEA, Sustainable Jersey for Schools, and Project Sustainability!

September 2021: GLC Elementary Recieves $25,000 Food Waste Grant

Sustainable Jersey for Schools announced the three schools that were selected to receive a $25,000 grant and technical assistance as part of the Sustainable Jersey School Food Waste Pilot Program. The goal of the program is to support schools in implementing best practices for reducing food waste and develop a model to be shared with schools across the state.

The Sustainable Jersey School Food Waste Pilot Program recipients are:

Burlington County: Delran Middle School, Delran Township
Monmouth County: George L. Catrambone Elementary School, Township of Long Branch
Sussex County: Halstead Middle School, Newton Township

August 2021: GLC Elementary Receives President's Environmental Education Award

The Long Branch School District is proud to announce that our George L. Catrambone School Green Team has received national recognition for demonstrating leadership in sustainability! On Thursday, August 12th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), announced the 2021 recipients of the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators and the President’s Environmental Youth Award.

Among the 15 educators and 32 students from across the U.S. recognized for their leadership and commitment to environmental education and environmental stewardship was our very own GLC School Green team.

Congratulations to all of our amazing educators and students involved in this accomplishment!

May 2021: GLC Elementary Receives Green Flag Award

Our George L. Catrambone school has recently received the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award! The GLC student Green Team worked hard to achieve this amazing accomplishment. The green flag is awarded on a competitive basis and is the highest award given through the organization’s Eco-Schools program. Eco-Schools is an international program that provides a framework to help educators integrate sustainable principles throughout their schools and curriculum. It strives to model environmentally sound practices, provide support for greening the curriculum, enhance academic achievement, and foster environmental stewardship. Go Green Wave!

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