Arizona Green Schools – Stand up and be recognized!

On Earth Day 48 schools and 9 districts in 27 states were recognized as 2014 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools honorees. No Arizona schools were on the list – or have been since 2012, when Roadrunner Elementary School in Phoenix and the STAR School in Flagstaff were honored for “their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways.”  To remedy this, the U.S. Green Building Council – Arizona Chapter, in cooperation with the Arizona Department of Education, is working to identify green schools in Arizona so their achievements can be recognized.

Arizona schools, districts and postsecondary institutions that wish to be nominated for the 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition program must complete the 2015 Arizona Green Ribbon Schools Application and email the form to the Arizona Department of Education by December 1, 2014. The ED-Green Ribbon Schools program honors schools, districts and institutions of higher education (IHE’s) that demonstrate exemplary achievement in the three ED-GRS Pillars:

• Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs.
• Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of students and staff.
• Pillar III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills and green career pathways.

All pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 schools are eligible, as well as K-12 school districts and IHE’s. See the USGBC Arizona – AZ Green Ribbon Schools page for more information about the program and to download the application form.

Welcome!

The Arizona Green Schools Toolbox is a resource for teachers, administrators and others who want to help make Arizona schools healthier and more sustainable. Green schools use less energy and water, reducing utility costs and putting money back into the classroom. Green schools are healthier for students and staff, reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity and teacher retention. Green schools increase environmental literacy and help prepare graduates for careers in a technology-driven economy. Lastly, green schools reduce their impact on the environment, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and protecting our air, land and water resources for current and future generations.

While there are many definitions of a green school, the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) program recognizes schools that demonstrate exemplary achievement in the three ED-GRS pillars:

• Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs.
• Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of students and staff.
• Pillar III: Provide effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills and green career pathways.

The Arizona Green Schools Toolbox describes programs and tools that have been utilized by multiple ED-Green Ribbon Schools honorees to help green their schools and also highlights Arizona-specific resources, keyed to the three ED-GRS pillars. If you want to green your school and don’t know where to begin – here’s a great place to start!