State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson hands Green Achiever certificate to Christos Chrysiliou, Director of LA Unified's Architectural and Engineering Services Division
Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet and George K. Porter MS Achieve Gold in California's Green Ribbon Schools Program
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today nominated LA Unified and two California school districts and two individual schools to compete in the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition program, which honors schools that conserve resources while promoting health and environmental literacy.
In addition to LA Unified, the nominees are:
•Manhattan Beach Unified School District, Los Angeles County
•San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco County
•Bay Farm School, Alameda, Alameda County
•Bishop O’Dowd High School (private), Oakland, Alameda County
The schools and districts were also named "Green Achievers," the highest honor in the California Green Ribbon Schools recognition program.
Two LA Unified schools, George K. Porter Middle School and Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets, were awarded California Green Ribbon Schools' Gold Award for their sustainability efforts.
“I commend these schools and districts for reducing their environmental footprints and engaging students using sustainability and the environment as the context for learning,” Torlakson said. “Their efforts are helping to build healthier, more resilient communities and a more prosperous California.”
Today's announcement came at a news conference at Bay Farm School in the Alameda Unified School District. Torlakson was joined by Dr. Ron Reynolds, Executive Director of the California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO). On hand at the awards ceremony was Teacher Curtis Ward from Porter MS, and Christos Chrysiliou, Director of Architectural and Engineering Services, which includes the District's Sustainability Initiatives Unit.
"We are thrilled to be honored by the California Green Ribbon Schools program and nominated for recognition by the US Department of Education for the efforts of so many Divisions and staff members District-wide towards sustainability, student and staff health and wellness, and environmental education," said Mr. Chrysiliou.
Green Ribbon Schools demonstrate exemplary achievement in three “pillars.” Pillar I: reduce environmental impact and costs; Pillar II: improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and Pillar III: provide effective environmental education that teaches many disciplines and is especially good at effectively incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, civic skills, and green career pathways.
The California Green Ribbon Schools recognition award uses the applications submitted for nomination to ED-GRS to recognize schools and school districts for environmental excellence. Private school awards are conferred by CAPSO.
California is one of 25 states as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity that are expected to nominate schools and districts for federal recognition this year. Continued participation and leadership in the program is a recommendation of Torlakson’s Environmental Literacy Task Force.
The U.S. Department of Education will confirm state nominees on Earth Day, April 22, 2016.
For more information, please visit the California Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Award Program Web page and download A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy: Educating Every Student In, About, and For the Environment
In addition to LA Unified, the nominees are:
•Manhattan Beach Unified School District, Los Angeles County
•San Francisco Unified School District, San Francisco County
•Bay Farm School, Alameda, Alameda County
•Bishop O’Dowd High School (private), Oakland, Alameda County
The schools and districts were also named "Green Achievers," the highest honor in the California Green Ribbon Schools recognition program.
Two LA Unified schools, George K. Porter Middle School and Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets, were awarded California Green Ribbon Schools' Gold Award for their sustainability efforts.
“I commend these schools and districts for reducing their environmental footprints and engaging students using sustainability and the environment as the context for learning,” Torlakson said. “Their efforts are helping to build healthier, more resilient communities and a more prosperous California.”
Today's announcement came at a news conference at Bay Farm School in the Alameda Unified School District. Torlakson was joined by Dr. Ron Reynolds, Executive Director of the California Association of Private School Organizations (CAPSO). On hand at the awards ceremony was Teacher Curtis Ward from Porter MS, and Christos Chrysiliou, Director of Architectural and Engineering Services, which includes the District's Sustainability Initiatives Unit.
"We are thrilled to be honored by the California Green Ribbon Schools program and nominated for recognition by the US Department of Education for the efforts of so many Divisions and staff members District-wide towards sustainability, student and staff health and wellness, and environmental education," said Mr. Chrysiliou.
Green Ribbon Schools demonstrate exemplary achievement in three “pillars.” Pillar I: reduce environmental impact and costs; Pillar II: improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and Pillar III: provide effective environmental education that teaches many disciplines and is especially good at effectively incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, civic skills, and green career pathways.
The California Green Ribbon Schools recognition award uses the applications submitted for nomination to ED-GRS to recognize schools and school districts for environmental excellence. Private school awards are conferred by CAPSO.
California is one of 25 states as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity that are expected to nominate schools and districts for federal recognition this year. Continued participation and leadership in the program is a recommendation of Torlakson’s Environmental Literacy Task Force.
The U.S. Department of Education will confirm state nominees on Earth Day, April 22, 2016.
For more information, please visit the California Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Award Program Web page and download A Blueprint for Environmental Literacy: Educating Every Student In, About, and For the Environment
