The Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Team developed our “Green Apple” award to recognize teachers in the Erie Diocesan grade schools who encourage their students to learn about the environment. Teachers were asked to submit what environmental issues and projects they addressed in their classrooms.  Each teacher was then presented with a “Green Apple” certificate, an eco-friendly green apple and a Be Kind car magnet in front of their students.

When we started the program last year, we received nine responses. This year, we were thrilled to receive 31 responses.  He heard from teachers in local Erie, PA schools as well as teachers from schools in Franklin, Oil City, Lucinda, Warren and DuBois, PA.  The JPIC Team was amazed at the level of creativity the teachers are using to engage students and how they are weaving Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical Laudato Si into their classes.

Our Facebook page highlights six initiatives selected by the JPIC Team showing the creative ways in which Erie Diocesan teachers are getting their students involved in what Pope Francis calls “Care of our Common Home.”