Move over blue, there’s a new ribbon in town and it has schools around the county going green.
The Obama Administration named 78 schools in 29 states and D.C. as the first ever U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon schools.
Two of the schools are located in the District. D.C.’s Stoddert Elementary School and Sidwell Friends Middle School were both recognized for their approach in creating and promoting “green” environments in their classrooms.
The following Maryland schools were recognized: Dunloggin Middle School in Ellicott City, Francis Scott Key Middle School in Silver Spring, Folger McKinsey Elementary School in Severna Park and Lucy School in Middletown.
Two Virginia schools also made the list: Fishburn Park Elementary School in Roanoke and The Gereau Center for Applied Technology & Career Exploration in Rocky Mount.
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools is a federal recognition program that opened in September 2011 and honors schools that create “green” environments through reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring a high-quality environmental and outdoor education to prepare students with the 21st century skills and sustainability concepts needed in the growing global economy.
“Science, environmental and outdoor education plays a central role in providing children with a well-rounded education, helping prepare them for the jobs of the future,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools demonstrate compelling examples of the ways schools can help children build real-world skill sets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments.”
Among the list of winners are 66 public schools, including 8 charters, and 12 private schools. In total, the schools are composed of 43 elementary, 31 middle and 26 high schools with around 50 percent representing high poverty schools.
