[Newark, NJ – May 13, 2022] New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy has long been a staunch supporter of climate change and because of her advocacy and leadership, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to incorporate climate change across K-12 learning standards. This year, Governor Murphy earmarked $5 million in the FY2023 budget to support the implementation of those standards by providing grants to schools for technical assistance, professional development opportunities, instructional materials, and evaluation strategies.

Today, First Lady Tammy Murphy visited First Avenue School and toured the school’s Mini Green Fair, as a precursor to the school’s inaugural Green Fair scheduled for June 2022. She witnessed lessons of sustainability come to life through instruction. She was greeted by First Avenue’s Students Sustainability Ambassadors who showcased their projects in a variety of focus areas. This included energy, waste, climate change, and health and wellness. Pre-kindergarten students used recyclable materials to make flowers and bugs; first graders discussed how to turn disposable household items into something new and useable; second graders created wind turbines that turn wind into energy; middle school students made paper, just to name a few.

“First Avenue School is the first school in Newark to achieve Silver Certification in Sustainability,” states Superintendent Roger Leon. “All of the others schools are well on their way to embracing and achieving Bronze Certification status.” “These students are truly, Energy Diamond Sustainability Ambassadors. Our future is bright” said Rodney L. Williams, Director of NBOE Sustainability.

Board President Haynes said, “I am amazed that our students are learning how to save the planet at such a young age