BALTIMORE \u2013 The U.S. Department of Education has announced that two Maryland schools have received 2017 Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) Awards. <\/p>\n
William Tyler Page Elementary School and John Poole Middle School — both in Montgomery County – received the prestigious honor. They were among 45 schools across the nation to receive the award, along with nine districts and nine postsecondary institutions.<\/p>\n
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsey DeVos made the announcement yesterday. Maryland\u2019s applications for the award were evaluated by a committee comprised of staff from State and national government agencies, State and regional environmental organizations, and private businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth William Tyler Elementary and John Poole Middle have put environmental awareness and stewardship at the heart of their educational missions,\u201c said Governor Larry Hogan. \u201cI want to extend our congratulations to the students, teachers, and parents of these schools, and thank them for their work to ensure that Maryland continues to lead the charge when it comes to protecting our environment.” <\/p>\n
Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, said the winners are emblematic of the Maryland\u2019s long commitment to environmental education and sustainable practices.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaryland schools have a history of leadership and innovation in environmental education,\u201d Dr. Salmon said. \u201cThe work of the Green Ribbon Schools represents the critical efforts taking place in schools and classrooms across all of our systems. Our schools are focused on the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Education agencies in 28 states and territories, in collaboration with the U.S Department of Education, participated in the sixth year of the GRS award program. Maryland schools have received national honors during each year of the program.<\/p>\n
The federal Green Ribbon program recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. The recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"