Building A Green School

10 Steps to building a green K-12 school, college or university

Greening Your K-12 School

12 Steps toward making your K-12 school more Earth-friendly.

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12 Steps to making colleges and universities more sustainable.

It's not easy being green! - Kermit T. Frog
HOME >> >> CT Green Ribbon Schools
Connecticut Green Ribbon Schools
 

Connecticut is developing a program to identify Green Ribbon Schools---those that exemplify efforts in the "Three Pillars of Sustainability.” These areas include:

· Buildings that maximize energy and water efficiency, reduce waste and support sustainable building practices

· Highly healthy schools, addressing air quality, pollutants, nutrition, and physical fitness

· Academic programs addressing sustainable practices within the curriculum and through civic engagement to produce environmentally literate citizens
 

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools has initiated this program with a pilot year of 2011-2012. The project seeks to encourage communities to create environmentally sustainable learning spaces and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. This recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education 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.

To develop the plan and application we would like to include you in the process. We are seeking to coordinate resources, build support networks for schools and encourage use of federal, state and local for profit and non-profit sectors. To join this effort or to suggest a resource, please email Laurel Kohl.
 
There will be a planning meeting to explain the Connecticut program and to catalog our many resources that schools can tap to become Green Ribbon Schools. This meeting will be help on February 3, 2012 at Central Connecticut State University. Please contact Susan Quincy for information.
 
Many partners are expected to help with the development of the application process, serve as a part of the review team and/or be listed as a resource for schools to develop actions that improve:

– Water Conservation

– Energy Efficiency

– Waste and Pollution Prevention

– Safe and Healthy Transportation Options

– Student Stewardship Opportunities

– Integrated Pest Management

– Landscape Design

– Indoor Air Quality

– School Nutritional Programs

– Physical Fitness

– Civic Engagement

– Using our Schools as Learning Laboratories

 
Resources and Links Connecticut's Green Ribbon Initiative