Marianist Family Encounters Project: Colegio San José’s 2025-2026 Eco-Schools Alignment

Colegio San José (CSJ), San Juan, PR, shared its annual report on sustainability and community service initiatives for the period from September 2025 to April 2026, detailing how the school leverages student leadership and local partnerships to integrate environmental stewardship, faith-based service, and integral ecology throughout its curriculum and campus life. Furthermore, CSJ aligned the school’s Eco-Schools Program with the goals of Marianist Encounters, highlighting focus themes for each of MFEP’s five goals.

Marianist Family Encounters Project Report

Alignment: Marianist Family Encounters Project (MFEP) & Eco-Schools Program

Reporting Period: September 2025 – April 2026

Executive Summary

Colegio San José continues to strengthen its commitment to "Caring for our Common Home" through the Eco-Schools international framework. Last year, our efforts culminated in the prestigious Green Flag award, presented by OPAS, recognizing our institutional dedication to sustainability. Through student-led audits and community partnerships, we are transforming our campus into a catalyst for a sustainable world.

GOAL 1: Promote Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation

Focus: Responding to the cry of the earth and the poor.

• La Tienda de Jesucristo: The Class of 2026 collaborated with this non-profit to collect and donate used clothing for the homeless and elderly in Caguas (March 2025).

• Coastal Preservation: In March 2026, the National Honor Society, Recycling Club, and Environmental Committee partnered with the non-profit 7 Quillas for a massive beach cleanup at Ocean Park.

• Support for Underserved Areas: 10th graders volunteered at the communal garden in the Capetillo neighborhood, focusing on urban social and environmental action (Feb 2026).

• Christmas Solidarity Drive: Our faculty and staff donated toys to children in the neighboring community of Buen Consejo. This initiative strengthened our bond with our underserved neighbors and brought the spirit of the season to local families.

GOAL 2: Transform through Integral Ecology

Focus: Curricular integration and student leadership.

• Green Service Requirements: We have successfully integrated environmental service into the annual requirements for each grade:

  • 8th Grade: Partnered with Para la Naturaleza at the UPR Botanical Garden to learn about endemic trees and nursery maintenance (Feb 2026).

  • 9th Grade: Participated in trail cleaning and crop orientation at Huerto Capetillo (Jan 2026).

• Student Journalism: The 80th edition of La Lanza featured student-led research on Puerto Rico’s energy crisis and the global impact of wildfires, linking local issues to global climate trends.

• Curricular Transformation: To foster a culture of sustainability, Colegio San José now requires the integration of environmental education across all academic disciplines. Teachers have successfully incorporated ecological themes into their lesson plans, supported by a comprehensive design guide. This initiative ensures that environmental stewardship is a core part of every student's academic experience.

GOAL 3: Listen and Educate in Faith

Focus: Ecological spirituality and awareness.

• Conscientization: Through audits and surveys, students are encouraged to "listen" to the needs of the campus, fostering a sense of responsibility toward God's creation.

• Service as Prayer: By aligning our garden work and cleanups with organizations like La Tienda de Jesucristo, we frame environmental care as a fundamental expression of our Marianist faith and service to the most vulnerable.

  
  
  
  

GOAL 4: Foster Sustainable Lifestyles

Focus: Ecological economics, waste reduction, and daily habits.

• Eco-School Certification: On April 23, 2025, the school officially received the Green Flag, the highest international distinction for sustainability, following a visit from Ms. Carmen Valentín, the Executive Director of OPAS.

• Carbon Footprint Reduction: Led by teacher Cynthia Ortiz, the Environmental Committee conducted campus-wide audits and surveys to identify opportunities to improve sustainable practices.

• Waste Management Campaign: In partnership with the Recycling Club, students launched an educational campaign to reduce single-use plastics. This included:

  • Digital ads on the morning news.

  • Placement of custom signage above cafeteria and hallway bins to encourage correct sorting of recyclables.

  • Promotion of reusable cups and utensils among staff and students.

• Campus Sustainability Advocacy: Our student leaders from the Environmental Committee, Student Council, and Audiovisual Club joined forces to produce a series of morning news segments and social media content. Their goal was to celebrate our environmental achievements while educating peers on sustainable campus living.

GOAL 5: Empower through Family Spirit

Focus: Community resilience, food sovereignty, and local impact.

• The Ecology Club Garden: On April 4, 2025, the club provided fresh lettuce harvested from the school garden for a school-wide tasting during lunch, celebrating the "fruits of their labor."

• Huerto Capetillo Partnership: We have deepened our ties with the Río Piedras community through the Capetillo Garden:

  • Faculty Engagement: In September 2025, faculty and staff volunteered to clean trails and garden areas that serve local and migrant communities.

  • Student Support: Beyond agriculture, our students provide academic tutoring and workshops to children within this community.

• Centro Ecológico Buen Pastor: The National Junior Honor Society assisted with replanting and green-area maintenance in Caguas (Nov 2025).

Next Steps

• Sustainability Planning: The Environmental Committee is currently collaborating with OPAS leadership to finalize clear sustainability objectives for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring the continued momentum of our Green Flag status.

• Earth Day Fundraiser: On April 22, the school will host a Casual Day to raise funds for Chelonia, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and conserving endangered sea turtle species. This initiative highlights our commitment to protecting local biodiversity and supporting the vital work of environmental organizations in Puerto Rico.

• Mother’s Day Solidarity Initiative: Continuing our commitment to our neighbors in Buen Consejo, faculty and staff donated gifts to mothers in the community. This gesture of appreciation celebrates the vital role of mothers while strengthening the bonds of solidarity between our school and our underserved local families.

Click here to download CSJ's alignment report

Update sent by Edilmari Longo Vega,

Ministry Lead, Marianist Encounters,

College Counselor,

Colegio San José

San Juan, PR