'Green Ribbon Schools' Program to Honor Environmentally Friendly Schools

As a step toward environmental friendliness, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced its creation of the Green Ribbon Schools program that will recognize schools that go green.

 The program aims to honor schools based on “energy conservation, creating healthy learning spaces and teaching environmental literacy,” especially through their curricula and building operations, according to a news release. 

“The schools taking part in the initiative will help kids connect what they’re learning in science class with the world around them, allowing them to envision solutions to tomorrow’s challenges while living healthier lives today,” said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson in the statement.

The Green Ribbon Schools program will be modeled after the department’s Blue Ribbon Schools program that awards several schools each year for their high academic performance or for improvement toward higher levels of student achievement.

is just one example of how Bowie schools are taking strides toward environmental awareness.

The school’s theme this year was “Going Green,” and the faculty and staff have incorporated this theme into their curriculum and school environment, said Susie Fousheé, chair of the education committee of the Yorktown Elementary PTA.

For example, every day a student reads a fact about the environment on the school’s morning newscasts. When the school celebrated Earth Day, the students formed a human rainbow by having each grade wear a different color. At the assembly, students read poems about the environment and what “Going Green” means to them, Fousheé said.

To incorporate environmental awareness into the curriculum, Fousheé said she read Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and other environmentally conscious books to the students. When she read a book about green agriculture, the students planted their own vegetative plants, she said.

The students “are very excited,” Fousheé said. “They’re excited to learn about other kids around the world, and what they’re doing for the environment.”

The application for the Green Ribbon Schools award is slated to open this fall with the winners announced on Earth Day 2012, according to Liz Utrup, press aide for the Department of Education.