Green Schools Awards Program Recognizes Environmental Achievements in Florida Schools

Governor Charlie Crist today joined Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Michael W. Sole, Florida Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith and nearly 500 students at the Capitol to launch the Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green Schools Awards. The awards program, announced on Earth Day, recognizes the efforts of students, teachers, classrooms, schools and school districts in creating healthy, efficient and productive places for learning. Following the announcement, Governor Crist presented Serve to Preserve Scout Award insignias to Florida Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for their environmental achievements.

{sidebar id=1}“I am a firm believer that the future of Florida is dependent upon two of our greatest resources – our environment and our children,” said Governor Crist. “Protecting the environment, increasing student learning, saving our schools money by improving energy efficiencies – all at the same time – is a smart decision from every direction.”

The Governor’s Serve to Preserve:  Green Schools Awards will be presented later this year to each of the five recipient groups: students, classrooms, teachers, schools and school districts. Applications will be accepted through May 2009 and will be reviewed during the summer. To complete a nomination application, go to www.MyFloridaClimate.com .

Eligible projects will be categorized in four themes:

1.      Green learning environments including indoor and outdoor facilities.
2.      Exemplary green curriculum or teacher professional development programs.
3.      Green service learning projects.
4.      Green policies or partnerships.

The Governor’s Serve to Preserve: Green Schools Awards is a partnership between DEP, DOE, the Governor’s Energy Office, the Collins Center’s Sustainable Florida Program, the Florida Education Foundation, the Governor’s Volunteer Florida Foundation and the Florida Association of School Administrators.

“Each Earth Day people from around the world come together to pledge to protect the environment, and Florida’s students and teachers are leading the effort with the help of this award,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Students and teachers are making their schools greener places to learn while also generating a savings for their school districts.”

In celebration of Earth Day, DEP also delivered the “Florida Green School Guide,” a Newspaper in Education publication to more than 7,000 Northwest Florida teachers and middle school students in Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Taylor, Jackson, Gulf and Madison counties. The guide, a first of its kind in the state, provides a variety of educational activities for students, teachers and school administrators that will enable Florida’s classrooms to go green.

This article originally published on April 22, 2009.

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Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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