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Virginia Green Ribbon Schools

This prestigious award is given to select schools across the nation that The U.S. Department of Education (USED) Green Ribbon Schools recognizes as schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

2012-2013 USED Green Ribbon Schools

Virginia is pleased to be participating in the second year of the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition program. This voluntary federal program rewards schools that meet criteria in three goals:
Goal I: Reduce environmental impact and costs.
Goal II: Improve the health and wellness of students and staff.
Goal III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.

This prestigious award is given to select schools across the nation that The U.S. Department of Education (USED) Green Ribbon Schools recognizes as schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

The recognition award is part of a larger USED effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

USED Information

1. USED Green Ribbon Schools main page
2. USED resources, standards, and programs
3. USED statutory and regulatory requirements for award eligibility

VDOE Application Materials

1. 2012-2013 Virginia Green Ribbon Schools application (Word)
2. Also see Superintendent's Memorandum #249-12

Resources to Assist in Completing the Application

Information Session Webinars – A two-part informational webinar session will be held on September 26, 2012 and October 17, 2012. Please register using the following links:

1. September 26, 2012 – Introduction to the Green Ribbon Schools
2. October 17, 2012 – GRS Question and Answer Session

The Green Strides Webinar Series Continues
The Green Strides Webinar Series continues weekly with dozens of sessions to help all schools reduce environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and provide effective education for the challenges of the 21st century.

Resources for Green Ribbon Schools
The Green Ribbon School Resource page is designed to assist interested schools find resources more easily.

 

School Year 2012-2013 Timeline
July 2012	USED posts criteria and other selection infrastructure.
July 2012	VDOE notifies USED of interest and develops our state application and review process and materials, in partnership with community and state agency partners, in accordance with USED eligibility requirements.
September 7, 2012	VDOE issues school application and guidelines for soliciting and selecting nominees for submission to USED.
September 2012	Information Session Webinars – a two-part informational webinar session will be on September 26, 2012 and October 17, 2012.
September, 21 2012	Intent to submit forms due to the VDOE.
December 10, 2012	Deadline for schools to submit application to the VDOE for nomination.
January 2013	VDOE convenes review committee to review applications against eligibility requirements and USED criteria.
February - March 2013	USED verifies that nominees meet eligibility requirements and have been evaluated against USED criteria. USED, with assistance from EPA, then reviews and rates schools based on eligibility criteria.
April 22, 2013	USED hosts recognition award ceremony

Programs to support the Journey to USED Green Ribbon Schools

Virginia Naturally School Program
The Virginia Naturally Recognition Program is a building block program for Green Ribbon Schools.  The program recognizes schools for incorporating the environment into their curriculum, conducting energy and water audits as well as establishing an outdoor classroom.  The VA Naturally Recognition Program is not a competition, it recognizes schools for the steps they take each year to help students become   environmentally literate citizens.

VSBA Green Schools
The VSBA Green Schools Challenge is a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community. School Divisions can become a certified "Green School Division." Many of these actions can save local school divisions money. To find out if your school division is a past winner of the VSBA Green Schools Challenge, please click here.

Project Learning Tree Green Schools
Project Learning Tree® (PLT) GreenSchools! is a nationwide environmental service-learning program that inspires students to take personal responsibility for improving the environment at their school, at home, and in their community. Students, teachers, and school staff receive tools, training, and resources for student-led Green Teams to create healthier schools – and save money. PLT GreenSchools! helps improve students’ academic performance in science, technology, engineering, and math, develops students’ critical thinking skills, and grows student leaders.

James River Green Building Council
Connect the Dots for Green Schools Challenge
The James River Green Building Council Chapter is challenging selected central Virginia schools to devise and implement, with the help of professional green mentors, the most creative, effective and no or low cost sustainable practices for their schools & communities.
To initiate this challenge, JRGBC provides interested schools with a group of volunteer mentors to help bridge the connection with local and national environmental resources. Mentors will work with select teachers and students to plan and implement low-cost sustainable projects for a duration of 5-6 months. Possible projects could include planting a rain garden or improving a school’s existing recycling program.

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