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Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge Recognize National Green Ribbon Schools

MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org or Keisha Ford-Jenrette, kford@gadoe.org (404) 657-2949

 

Applications are due by November 16, 2012.

 
September 27, 2012 -- Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today presented Springdale Park Elementary a commendation for winning the 2012 National Green Ribbon Schools Award.   At the same event, State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge announced the 2013 Green Ribbon Schools and District Kickoff.

 

A partnership involving the Georgia Department of Education, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the Captain Planet Foundation, Turner Foundation, the Clean Air Campaign, Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia brings national recognition to the program in its second year.
 
“In these challenging times, school systems across the state are embracing innovative ideas to reduce costs and focus resources on the classrooms where students learn,” said Lt. Governor Cagle, “I’m proud of our partnership with the National Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize Georgia schools that are implementing groundbreaking tools to reduce their energy costs.  This will allow us to redirect precious financial resources towards direct instruction, will create a healthier learning environment for our children, and will give our students career-relevant, first-hand experience in one of our state’s emerging industries.”
 
“In the program’s first year, Georgia had several outstanding schools that won the U.S. Department of Education National Green Ribbon Schools Award.  This goes to show that schools in Georgia are striving to be more energy efficient, developing healthy living habits and providing environmental education,” said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. “I encourage all schools that qualify for this award to apply so we can recognize them.”
 
Four schools and one school district will be nominated to compete for the 2013 U.S. Department of Education National Green Ribbon Schools and District Award.
 
The Turner Foundation has once again generously pledged $10,000 for the school or schools who are recognized as a U.S. Department of Education National Green Ribbon School. If multiple Georgia schools are selected for the national award, they will split the prize. “For over 20 years, the Turner Foundation has been supporting and advocating conservation practices,” said Turner Foundation Trustee, Laura Turner Seydel.  “We are thrilled to see Georgia schools engaged in sustainability and receiving national recognition for their achievements."
 
The U.S. Department of Education established the Green Ribbon Schools award last year to recognize schools across the country who are taking outstanding steps to educate tomorrow’s environmental leaders with a green approach by demonstrating environmental awareness and sustainability.
 
Public schools, private schools and school districts in Georgia can complete the application online beginning today by going to the following links:
 
Applications are due by November 16, 2012.
 
Georgia’s 2012 National Green Ribbon School winners:
 
ARABIA MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Arabia Mountain High School, a Dekalb County public school, was the first LEED Certified public school in Georgia.  Each year, they purchase 60% renewable energy, divert over 72 tons of waste through a robust recycling program. They have implemented water efficient fixtures for both indoor and outdoor water use, have green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper and furniture, and are a Clean Air School.  Arabia Mountain has implemented Environmental Integrated Curriculum and currently has 100% of their students testing proficient on the science section of the Georgia High School Graduation Test.
 
SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
Savannah Country Day School is a private school in Savannah, Georgia and was certified LEED Silver in 2009.  The school saves energy by using a passive solar design with daylighting and efficient lighting fixtures.  They have implemented water efficient fixtures for both indoor and outdoor water use, have green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper, and furniture.  Over 75% of their students either walk, bike, bus or carpool to the campus each day, and 35% of the food used in the school is grown within a 200 mile radius of the campus.   The school has nine outdoor classrooms and several onsite school gardens.
 
SPRINGDALE PARK ELEMENTARY                           
Springdale Park Elementary School, an Atlanta public school, was certified LEED Gold and generates 18% of its energy from an onsite geothermal ground source heat pump which both heats and cools the school.  The school further saves energy by using a passive solar design with day-lighting, sensors, and efficient lighting fixtures.  They have implemented water efficient fixtures for both indoor and outdoor water use, have green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper, and furniture, and are a Clean Air School.  They have two onsite school gardens and 39% of the food used in the school is grown within a 200 mile radius of the campus.  In every grade, the environmental science standards listed in the Georgia Performance Standards are taught applying the scientific method also known as the Characteristics of Science.
 

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