On Sept 19, the 2018 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees received accolades at a ceremony in Wash., D.C. for their sustainable, healthy facilities; wellness practices; and sustainability learning. Remarks were given by National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Administrator Timothy Gallaudet, Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Frank Brogan, Director of the Campaign for Environmental Literacy James Elder, and Director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Anisa Heming. Six PLT GreenSchools, one school district, and one institution of higher education were among the 58 awardees. https://www.plt.org/news/plt-greenschools-2018-green-ribbon-schools/

Forty-five percent of this year’s awardees serve under-resourced communities, and they include public, charter, non-public and magnet schools as well as career and technical schools and community colleges. The diversity of this year’s awardees proves that any school can make meaningful strides in improving the sustainability and health of school facilities, ensuring lifelong nutrition and fitness practices. It also engages students in real-world learning that equips them with the skills to lead a sustainable future. To date, ED-GRS has recognized 386 schools, 62 districts and 40 postsecondary institutions. An awards reception hosted by the Center for Green Schools was held on Capitol Hill and lawmakers from around the country were invited to congratulate their districts’ awardees in person.

A link to a report with highlights on all 58 awardees for 2018 can be found below.

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/awards.html