Are you green?  The U.S. Department of Education will begin recognizing public and private elementary, middle, and high schools for their high achievement in energy conservation and environmental literacy through the newly created Green Ribbon Schools program. 

Modeled after the U.S. DOE’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program, this program is looking for schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

While the award confers no federal funds, winners of the Green Ribbon, like Blue Ribbon Schools, may experience national and local press coverage, re-energized staff and parents, enhanced community support, increased application rates, and perhaps private assistance. Winners will be invited to participate in national and local recognition ceremonies.

The Green Ribbon Schools recognition award is part of a larger U.S. DOE effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

In this pilot year, Hawaii will nominate up to four schools, one of which will be a private school.  Schools will be selected based on their ability to reach the goals of the three Green Ribbon School Pillars and Elements according to the framework provided by the U. S. Department of Education. 

Green Ribbon Schools Pillars and Elements

1. Environmental Impact and Energy Efficiency
• 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 streams; and
• Expanded use of alternative transportation to, during and from school, through active promotion of locally-available, energy-efficient options and implementation of alternative transportation supportive projects and policies.
2. Healthy School Environments
• 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.
3. 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.

Visit the U.S. DOE website for more information at:
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html