Celebrating the 2024 USA Blue Schools
The USA Blue Schools are a part of a global network of primary and secondary schools striving to help students, families, and communities to learn about our ocean and take action to make it a healthier place. Nineteen U.S. schools recently received their "USA Blue Schools" flag, illustrating that they have completed their action projects, integrated ocean literacy into their curricula, and connected with other schools in the networks. Visit the NMEA USA Blue Schools page to learn more about the USA Blue Schools and join us!
Congratulations to the 2024 USA Blue Schools
Arthur Middleton Elementary, Waldorf, Maryland
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Susan Heywood
Arthur Middleton Elementary integrated Chesapeake Bay education into its curriculum through gardening projects, a Green/Blue Club, daily ocean facts during announcements, and student-created PowerPoint presentations about the Bay.
Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science and Technology Education Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Holly Turner-Moore
Students at Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science and Technology Education Center successfully raised and harvested kelp on the school’s farm site, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable aquaculture practices.
Students from PS 175 City Island School’s Marine Ecology Program collect data along the Long Island Sound shoreline.
City Island School, Bronx, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Karen Heil
City Island School’s Marine Ecology Program provided students with hands-on learning opportunities along the Long Island Sound shoreline. Activities included water quality monitoring, invasive species removal, and coastal cleanups, fostering a lifelong commitment to marine conservation.
1st grade students from Flanders Elementary School explore the intertidal zone at Hole-In-The-Wall Beach in Niantic, CT.
Flanders Elementary School, East Lyme, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Laura Moore
First graders at Flanders Elementary learned about the Long Island Sound through hands-on lessons, field trips, and partnerships with local organizations. Their work culminated in creating collection stations to prevent pollution from entering the Sound.
Hillcrest Elementary School, Peekskill, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Jamie Rossi
Hillcrest Elementary students researched and developed creative solutions, such as boats and nets, to improve ocean health and reduce pollution.
Jefferson Elementary School, New Rochelle, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Michelle Memoli
Jefferson Elementary focused on fostering environmental stewardship among students. Through assemblies, read-alouds, field trips, and citizen science projects, the school raised awareness of ocean protection and sustainability.
Jovita Idár Elementary School, Chicago, Illinois
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Ryan Johnson
As part of a commitment to sustainability, the Jovita Idár Elementary School launched the Seeds of Change Thrive in Concrete initiative. The project focused on sustainable food systems in schools by implementing circular systems to reduce waste.
Marine Science Magnet High School, Groton, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Mike Kuczenski
Marine Science Magnet High School students designed and built a rain garden on campus to reduce polluted runoff impacting the Long Island Sound. The project combined environmental science with hands-on learning to address local ecological issues.
Morristown Beard School, Morristown, New Jersey
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Lisa Swanson
The Morristown Beard School fostered international collaboration with Barryroe National School in Ireland through ocean literacy. This partnership, sparked by the landing of their Educational Passages miniboat in 2022, involved letter exchanges, Zoom meetings, and joint exploration of Atlantic Ocean currents and conservation efforts.
Teacher Lisa Swanson and the students of Morristown Beard School with their Educational Passages miniboat, Swansonator 3000.
Mystic River Magnet School, Mystic, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Emma Rotner
Kindergarten students at Mystic River Magnet School learned about their local watershed and its connection to the Long Island Sound. The project included field experiences, classroom activities with a portable EnviroScape model, and student-led initiatives to reduce local pollution.
New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science, Bronx, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Ana Gomes
Students at New Visions Charter High School explored ocean literacy through a learning walk in Central Park, trifold research presentations, and participation in a park cleanup. Their work culminated in an Ocean Literacy Symposium, where they shared findings with peers.
Ocean Studies Charter School, Key Largo, Florida
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Martha Loizeaux
Ocean Studies Charter School partnered with Florida State Parks to restore a coastal hardwood hammock and a mangrove habitat damaged by a boat crash. Students actively participated in planting mangroves, including those grown in their school nursery, as part of an experimental restoration effort.
Faculty at Smithtown High School West display their USA Blue Schools flag.
Smithtown High School West, Smithtown, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Kimberly Williams
Smithtown High School West students focused on reducing single-use plastic pollution impacting the Long Island Sound. Through STEAM projects, beach cleanups, and partnerships with local organizations, students created educational materials and served as conservation mentors to younger peers.
Torrington High School, Torrington, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Jamie Mack
Torrington High School students raised awareness about the impact of their community on the Naugatuck River and Long Island Sound. Collaborating with Spanish and ESL classes, they created bilingual fliers, mini-lessons, and hands-on activities to educate their community.
Trinity Elementary School, New Rochelle, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Terri Agravat
Trinity Elementary developed a Long Island Sound unit of study for third through fifth graders. Students engaged in hands-on investigations, field trips, and community outreach projects to learn about and protect the Sound's ecosystems.
Trumbull High School, Trumbull, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Molly Dushay
Trumbull High School’s Waves of Change initiative brought marine science, sustainability, and community engagement together. Students educated younger peers, organized cleanups, and hosted an Earth Day Summit to raise awareness about marine debris and conservation.
Walter Fitzgerald Campus, Southport, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Trisha Pytko
Students at Walter Fitzgerald Campus designed GPS monitoring devices to track pollution from Mill River to Long Island Sound. They analyzed data, shared findings through presentations and podcasts, and created simulations to raise community awareness.
Washington Irving Intermediate School, Tarrytown, New York
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Michelle DeVivo and Cathleen Caroleo
Students at Washington Irving Intermediate School explored the importance of watersheds through literature, educational presentations, and hands-on cleanups. They empowered their peers to keep local watersheds clean and protect the Hudson River ecosystem.
Waterford High School, Waterford, Connecticut
USA Blue Schools Lead teacher: Michael O'Connor
Waterford High School expanded its Marine Science Day program to teach Quaker Hill Elementary students about the Long Island Sound. With stations ranging from touch tanks to marsh studies, the program deepened students’ connections to their local marine environment.
Interested in becoming a USA Blue School? Visit the NMEA USA Blue Schools page for more information.