When Garden Montessori School formally opened it’s doors two months ago, it became not only Pasco’s first “Certified Green” pre-school but first such facility in both the state of Florida and United states to earn this designation.
The school’s co-owners Stefani Ruskin and Patricia Gutierrez were notified by the Green Schools League, Inc., a Plainfield, Il. –based green technology and best practices firm, that their school had achieved Gold level certification in recognition for their efforts to institute a sustainability program, eco-friendly operations and periodic audits.
Garden Montessori School, located at 6845 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, has implemented eco-friendly processes to address energy efficiency, replace paper-bases communications, switch to non- toxic cleaning practices and launch recycling and composting programs.
Natalie Calleja, a Certified Green Consultant and National Director of the Green Schools League, presented the certification to the school’s owners in early November.” This certification is an acknowledgement of the vision and commitment that Ms. Ruskin and Ms Gutierrez have made to create and maintain a healthy school enverinment that the teachers, students and parents share on a day-to-day basis,” she says. “Our goal is to make the children more aware of living responsasibly.” Says co-owner Ruskin. “ We want to teach our students to become responsible citizens through our example.”
TBPrenting.com January 2010 Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine( Pag 44)