Photo provided by Houghton Portage Township Elementary School. Students plant a garden outside of Houghton Elementary School in this courtesy photo.

HOUGHTON — Just in time for Earth Day, Houghton Elementary School has been awarded Evergreen Green School Certification, the highest level of the Michigan Green Schools program administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Houghton Elementary is the only school in the region to achieve the program’s highest tier.

According to a district press release, the certification highlights several energy-saving upgrades, led by H-PT Director of Maintenance Ron Peryam, including LED lighting, high-efficiency heating systems, and expanded filtered water bottle refill stations.

The district maintains a comprehensive paper recycling program and partners with REMC for responsible electronic waste and battery recycling. In the classroom, art educator Melissa Hronkin incorporates recycled materials into student projects, transforming everyday items into creative learning tools while reinforcing the importance of reuse. Students and families also play an active role in recycling through efforts like Gremlins Sports Boosters can drives and PTO-led clothing recycling programs that support families in need.

Houghton Elementary’s environmental efforts span from classrooms to cafeteria. The school kitchen diverts food scraps and packaging to local farms for composting and reuse. Houghton Elementary plays a central role in the local food network since Food Service Coordinator Shelby Turnquist began sourcing from area farms five years ago.

Environmental learning is embedded across grade levels. The press release states educators like Laurel Givens, Melissa Hronkin, and volunteer Jen D’Luge guide students in gardening, vermiculture, pollinator education, and more. Students raise butterflies, maintain a classroom beehive, and build pollinator habitats, gaining firsthand experience with ecosystems and biodiversity.

Strong community partnerships amplify these efforts. Collaborations with local farms, Keweenaw Wild Ones, UPPCO, and the Pewabic Street Community Gardens provide real-world learning opportunities. Programs like Farm Club and family outreach events, headed by staff member Lily Venable, teach food literacy, reduce waste, and connect students to local food systems. The school wellness program, headed by Upper Great Lakes’ Erin Gerard-Bustos, further amplifies these efforts.

“This award reflects the dedication of our students, staff, and families,” said Principal Cole Klein. “At Houghton Elementary, caring for the environment is part of who we are.”