This morning we were fortunate enough to have State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Barge, and Lieutenant Governor, Casey Cagle, at Springdale Park for a press conference announcing the kickoff of the 2013 National Green Ribbons School Program. We were so proud to receive this national recognition in 2012 and we are looking forward to supporting other schools in achieving the same honor by demonstrating excellence in these three areas:
GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS PILLARS AND ELEMENTS
- Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs
- Reduced or eliminated greenhouse gas emissions, using an energy audit or emissions inventory and reduction plan, cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, conservation measures, and/or and on-site renewable energy and/or purchase of green power;
- Improved water quality, efficiency, and conservation;
- Reduced solid and hazardous waste production through increased recycling, reduced consumption, and improved management, reduction, or elimination of hazardous waste; and
- Expanded use of alternative transportation, through active promotion of locally-available, energy-efficient options and implementation of alternative transportation supportive projects and policies.
- Improved Health and Wellness
- An integrated school environmental health program based on an operations and facility-wide environmental management system that considers student, visitor and staff health and safety in all practices related to design, construction, renovation, operations, and maintenance of schools and grounds; and
- High standards of nutrition, fitness, and quantity of quality outdoor time for both students and staff
- Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education
- Interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between dynamic environmental, energy and human systems;
- Use of the environment and sustainability to develop STEM content knowledge and thinking skills to prepare graduates for the 21st century technology-driven economy; and
- Development of civic engagement knowledge and skills, and students’ application of these to address sustainability and environmental issues in their community.
Click here to see our post from our trip to Washington, DC to receive this award this summer.
Click here to read the press release in full.
Tending Our Common Ground 