The
aim of U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is to inspire
schools, districts and Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to strive for
21st century excellence, by highlighting exemplary practices and resources that
all can employ. The ED-GRS award recognizes schools, districts, and IHEs that:
- Reduce environmental impact and costs;
- Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
- Provide environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.
The award is a tool to
encourage state education agencies, stakeholders and higher education officials
to consider matters of facilities, health and environment comprehensively and
in coordination with state health, environment and energy agency counterparts.
Unique about the award is that, in order to be selected for federal
recognition, schools, districts and postsecondary institutions must be high
achieving in all three of the above Pillars, not just one area.
Combined achievement in
ALL three of these areas, collectively known as Pillars, serves as the basis
for recognition. Each Pillar is divided into Elements, which provide further
guidance on each of the three main areas. ED-GRS aligns with the Department’s
cross-cutting goals for education, including improving student, staff, and
facility performance and increasing efficiency at the federal, state, and local
levels. At the postsecondary level, these Pillars help to support the goals of
reduced college costs, increased completion rates, higher rates of employment,
and robust civic skills among graduates. The recognition award is part of a
U.S. Department of Education (USED) effort to identify and communicate
practices that result in improved student engagement, academic achievement,
graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, and reinforce federal efforts to
increase energy independence and economic security.
Green schools are
critical to schools’ fiscal health and our nation's economy. Much needed improvements
to school facilities create new jobs and save schools money. They prepare
students to participate in the green economy, strengthen the nation's energy
security and conserve precious natural resources. Healthy behaviors,
environmental education and green facilities are as vital to individual
students as they are to the nation. High standards of nutrition, fitness and
facility conditions improve student and staff health, attendance and
productivity, and enhance achievement and engagement, particularly in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Each year, all winning
schools are invited to Washington, D.C. for a ceremony to celebrate their
success, share information and receive a plaque to commemorate their
achievement.
Three applications
for the Green
Ribbon Schools
program are available through the IowaGrants.gov website:
- Individual School: FY15 Iowa
Green Ribbon Schools – School Application
- District: FY15 Iowa
Green Ribbon Schools – District Sustainability Award Application
- College/University: FY15 Iowa
Green Ribbon Schools – College Application
Applications must be submitted through
IowaGrants.gov to the Iowa Department of Education (IDE) by January 7, 2015.
IDE will review applications based on the applicant’s demonstrated progress
towards the goals of each of the three pillars. Nominees demonstrating
exemplary achievement in all three pillars and every element will be ranked
highest.
Instructions for applying are located on the
DE website: Green
Ribbon Schools.
Visit the ED-GRS
website
to learn about the GRS program. For assistance, contact Gary Schwartz,
Facilities Consultant, gary.schwartz@iowa.gov or 515.281.4743.
