Four Georgia public schools and one public university were all honored with the Green Ribbon designation Wednesday, which recognizes schools and districts that exercise an innovative approach to creating “green” environments.
Charles R. Drew Charter School in Atlanta Public Schools, Godley Station K-8 School in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, Lanier High School in Gwinnett County Schools, Saddle Ridge Elementary/Middle School in Walker County were all named National Green Ribbon Schools for 2018, the U.S. Department of Education.
Georgia Southern University also received the designation, which is designed to recognize schools that find ways to reduce environmental impact, promote health, and ensure a high-quality environmental and outdoor education for students.
The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 25 states and the Department of Defense Education Activity. Nationally, only 46 schools were selected.
In Georgia, a partnership between the Georgia Department of Education, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the Captain Planet Foundation, the Turner Foundation, the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia, and the University System of Georgia helps schools compete for the national award.
“In these challenging times, school systems across the state are embracing innovative ideas to reduce costs and focus resources on the classrooms where students learn,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “I’m proud to stand behind the National Green Ribbon Schools contest to recognize Georgia schools that are implementing groundbreaking tools to reduce their energy costs. This will allow us to redirect precious financial resources towards direct instruction, will create a healthier learning environment for our children, and will give our students career-relevant, first-hand experience in one of our state’s emerging industries.”
“On behalf of the Georgia Department of Education, I congratulate the schools who received this national acknowledgement of their innovative, student-focused work,” said Keisha Ford-Jenrette, GaDOE Recognitions Program Manager. “It’s hard to even begin to summarize all the new ideas and smart solutions this year’s Georgia Green Ribbon Schools are putting into place: they’re hosting Walk to School Days, receiving LEED and ENERGY STAR designations, providing National Wildlife Foundation-certified wildlife habitats onsite for student learning, and offering outdoor kindergarten. They’re irrigating athletic fields with reclaimed stormwater and well water, piloting a student-led composting program, and repurposing water bottles into floral works of art for cancer patients.”
