For the City-Times

State Superintendent Tony Evers nominated four schools and one school district for recognition in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools program.

The nominated schools are Park Elementary School in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District; Hurley K-12 School in the Hurley School District; Tomorrow River Community Charter School in Amherst, Tomorrow River School District; and Conserve School in Land O’ Lakes. In addition, Greendale School District was nominated for a District Sustainability Award. To earn recognition, schools must save energy and water, improve indoor environmental quality, promote health and well-being for students and staff, and offer robust environmental education curricula and programs to boost student academic achievement and community engagement.

“It takes school-wide collaboration by teachers, administration, faculty managers, and students to become a nominee for the Green Ribbon Schools program,” Evers said. “I commend these schools for focusing on ways to make their schools safe, healthy, and effective environments that support student learning.”

The online application required extensive data collection and reporting in nine focus areas: energy, water, transportation, environmental health, school site, recycling and waste management, health and wellness, environmental education, and community involvement. A state-level team of education consultants and content experts reviewed each application. Reviewers considered the applicant’s demonstrated progress to reduce the schools’ environmental impact and costs, improve the health and wellness of students and staff members, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education.

At the federal level, applications from each participating state will be reviewed to determine if the nominees: 1) meet all of the eligibility requirements; 2) comply with all applicable federal civil rights and federal, state, local, and tribal health, environment, and safety statutory and regulatory requirements; and 3) meet high college- and career-ready academic standards. Winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22. Seven schools and one school district in Wisconsin have been recognized as U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools since the program began in 2012.

Each school will also receive Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin “Sugar Maple” certification and be recognized nationally through Project Learning Tree’s “Green Schools” program.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program visit: http://cal.dpi.wi.gov/cal_green-ribbon-schools. To learn more about Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin certification, visit: www.GHSWisconsin.org.