Schools saved money on
utility costs and supplies? Students were engaged in hands-on place based learning
that connected them to their communities? Parents heard their children sing
about recycling?!
That’s right! Third
graders at Bonneville Elementary partnered with Utah Opera to write and perform
a “Go Green” opera for parents, students, and Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker.
Alta High’s Earth Club launched a school wide “Staying Green After Earth Day”
campaign to promote walking and biking to school, recycling, and reusable water
bottles. Second graders at the McGillis School installed winter hoops in their
garden for year round lettuce cultivation, and Rowland Hall added battery and glass
recycling to their already impressive recycling program. All of these
initiatives, and countless more, were implemented by these schools as part the
Utah Society for Environmental Education’s brand new Utah Green Schools Awards
Program.
The Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) is
pleased to announce that the McGillis School, Rowland Hall and Bonneville
Elementary are recipients of the Platinum Utah Green Schools Award. Alta High’s
Earth Club has received the Bronze Utah Green Schools Award.
The 2011-2012 school year was the pilot year for USEE’s new
program. Through the efforts of students, teachers, administrations, parents,
and janitorial staff, these four schools have made significant and inspiring
strides towards sustainability. They have become leaders in the state’s green
school movement.
Projects and initiatives completed in this program are categorized
under 4 pillars: Sustainable Facilities, Sustainable Practices, Environmental
Education, and Community Involvement. A school, classroom, or club that has
achieved the Platinum level of the Utah Green Schools Awards Program has made efforts
in all four of the pillars. A school, classroom, or club that has achieved the
Bronze level of recognition has made efforts in one of the four pillars.
In addition to the plaques and certificates the schools have
received this spring; USEE will be kicking off the 2012-2013 school year with a
fall tree planting and flag raising ceremony for the platinum schools.
USEE is looking forward to growing this program in the coming years and will be promoting it as a way to decrease the operational costs of schools, improve the health and education of students, and conserve limited resources.
USEE is looking forward to growing this program in the coming years and will be promoting it as a way to decrease the operational costs of schools, improve the health and education of students, and conserve limited resources.
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