“Science and environmental education play a central role in providing children with a well-rounded education that prepares them for the jobs of the future,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “Green Ribbon Schools demonstrate compelling examples of the ways schools can expand their coursework while also helping children build real world skill sets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments.”
Over the past two years, through its lunchtime and classroom recycling programs and other efforts, Longfellow has diverted over 100,000 pounds of would-be trash from the landfill, according to a press release issued by the school last month. Long Beach’s Environmental Services Bureau has been instrumental in the achievement of Longfellow’s high waste-diversion rate.
In addition to recycling, Longfellow Green Team volunteers deliver unused cold foods and milk to Food Finders, a local food bank distributor, on a daily basis. Students also participate in a “Walk to School Wednesday” program. Volunteers conduct a monthly uniform swap. Additionally, the school has a new Junior Green Team of 4th and 5th graders.
“Longfellow is a large, diverse, urban school, housed on a campus built in the 1930s,” said Heather Morrison, Longfellow’s Green Team coordinator. “We have old buildings and limited resources. Our environmental efforts are far from fancy, complicated or high tech: we recycle, we take leftover food to a food bank, we turn off lights and computers when not in use and we make sure kids are getting outside to play and exercise, as well as learn about the outdoors. Our recycling efforts do go above and beyond what is happening on most school campuses, but with some effort, they are replicable just about anywhere. I think the takeaway message from a school like Longfellow being awarded the Green Ribbon Schools Award is that being ‘green’ is doable even if you are an ordinary school on an old and ordinary campus. Sure, it would be great to be off the grid, have solar panels and low-flush toilets, but even without those things, there is something that everyone can do to take care of our environment and our planet.”
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a federal recognition program that opened in September 2011. Honored schools exercise a comprehensive approach to creating “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.
“Schools that take a green approach cut costs on their utility bills, foster healthy and productive classrooms, and prepare students to thrive in the 21st century economy,” said Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “These Green Ribbon School award winners are taking outstanding steps to educate tomorrow’s environmental leaders, and demonstrating how sustainability and environmental awareness make sense for the health of our students and our country.”
The 78 awarded schools were named winners from among nearly 100 nominees submitted by 30 state education agencies, the District of Columbia and the Bureau of Indian Education. More than 350 schools completed applications to their state education agencies. Among the list of winners are 66 public schools including 8 charters, and 12 private schools composed of 43 elementary, 31 middle and 26 high schools with around 50 percent representing high poverty schools.
“These Green Ribbon Schools are giving students and educators what they need to maximize learning and minimize risks like asthma and other respiratory illnesses, ensuring that no child is burdened by pollution in or around their school,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Today’s winners are protecting our children’s health and opening up environmental education opportunities for students. The EPA is proud to help recognize the Green Ribbon award winners and will continue working to improve the environment of our nation’s schools and helping prepare students to succeed in the emerging green economy.”
The U.S. Department of Education’s “Green Ribbons” are one-year recognition awards. Next year’s competition will open in summer 2012. State agencies are encouraged to send their intents to submit nominees by June 15, 2012 via email to green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov .
