On Earth Day, today, the US Department of Education announced the schools and school systems that were named Green Ribbon Schools for 2015.
Two Maryland schools, one Maryland school system, and one Illinois school today received the 2015 Green Ribbon Schools Award:
- Northwest High School, Germantown, Md. (Montgomery County Public Schools)
- J.C. Parks Elementary School, Indian Head, Md. (Charles County Public Schools)
- Howard County Public School System, based in Ellicott City, Md.
- River Trails Middle School, Mt Prospect, Ill. (River Trails School District 26)
“I’d like to congratulate these schools and their students for being stewards of Maryland’s unique environment,” Maryland Gov Larry Hogan said in a press release. “Maryland teachers are leaders in finding and promoting innovative ways to make our schools more environmentally friendly and sustainable.”
“These winners exemplify Maryland’s commitment to environmental education and to practices that will sustain our world for future generations,” said Lillian Lowery, Maryland state superintendent of schools. “Northwest High, J.C. Parks Elementary, and the Howard County Public Schools have embedded environmental learning, classwork, and sustainable practices into their culture. We all benefit from the work being done in those schools.”
In Illinois, State Superintendent of Education Christopher A Koch congratulated the River Trails Middle School in a press release:
“On behalf of the our Board, I congratulate the students and staff at River Trails for finding ways to incorporate healthy habits into all aspects of learning and living,” he said. “This school’s commitment to living green cuts costs and improves health and well-being but, most importantly, teaches students how to carry such practices into the future.”
Teachers at River Trails have participated in a wide range of professional development opportunities to implement approaches and curricula that meet environmental standards aligned with the new Illinois Learning Standards in Science, by which we mean the Next Generation Science Standards.
“The timing of this recognition is significant as we celebrate Earth Day today and reach out to our neighbors in need,” said Keir Rogers, principal at River Trails. “The Green Ribbon Award highlights our effort to be a healthy learning environment and we look forward to increasing our responsibility to the global community.”
This is the fourth year of the US Education Department’s Green Ribbon Schools program.
“These honorees are compelling examples of the ways schools can help children build real-world skill sets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments,” Arne Duncan, US secretary of education, said in announcing the awards. “The US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and deserve the spotlight for embodying strong examples of innovative learning and civic engagement.”
