Coebourn Elementary sole Pa. winner of environmental award
BROOKHAVEN » Coebourn Elementary School has been selected as a recipient of the 2017 U.S. Green Ribbon Schools Award. Coebourn is among 45 winning schools from across the nation and was the only school in Pennsylvania to receive the honor this year.
The Green Ribbon Schools Award program, established in 2011, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and recognizes schools for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.
“This award is an acknowledgement of the tireless efforts that our students, staff and parents have put in to ensure Coebourn is a school that is making an impact on the future of our community,” said Coebourn Principal Eric Kuminka. “I am elated and proud of our school community’s passion and commitment to ‘going green.’ It is essential to be respectful, responsible, and ready to conserve and protect our planet’s resources.”
The school’s Green Ribbon journey began during the planning phase of the construction of the new Coebourn Elementary School facility in 2015. The new geothermal and energy efficient school facility has been inspiring to Coebourn’s school community. Composting, recycling, unplugging, no idle bus zones, a carton to garden project, Jump Rope for Heart and monthly awareness activities are just a few initiatives taken on by the school through Coebourn’s green committee.
Through the green committee, staff and students implemented energy conservation practices and led recycling efforts throughout the school. They created a composting club and established “Green Goals” for the entire school to strive towards, such as turning out the lights and using the sunlight during certain times of the day. Additionally, they created a “KinderGarden” where they use the compost collected by the composting club to help grow vegetables that students will harvest and donate to a local soup kitchen.
“Our fifth graders in the compost club under the guidance of their teacher Mrs. Jess Wooleyhan have become our student leaders and demonstrated a strong interest and commitment to ‘going green,’” Kumika said. “This journey has been a school-wide team effort by involving staff, students, and parents. I want to thank our faculty green committee for leading and bringing awareness of green initiatives within the school community.”
The new Coebourn Elementary School was built in 2015 and includes many geothermal and energy efficient features. The district opted for a hybrid geothermal HVAC system, replaced several dual-fuel large boilers with high efficiency gas fired boilers and domestic hot water heaters, and installed heat wheels and reheat systems. Coebourn uses lowflow fixtures throughout the school. There is no irrigation system onsite; grass is watered by rain only. The site includes rain gardens and storm water inlets. Coebourn has implemented and maintains a single stream recycling program with Waste Management as its partner. Teachers regularly partner with the facilities department at Penn-Delco and use the new facility as a teaching tool to educate students on LEED sustainability and the positive impact their school is having on the planet.
The 2017 Green Ribbon Schools Award was presented to 45 schools, nine districts, and nine postsecondary institutions across the county. The School District of Philadelphia was honored this year as a Green Ribbon district. Coebourn Elementary School now holds both Blue Ribbon (2011) and Green Ribbon distinction.
“Earning a National Green Ribbon Award from the Department of Education is a tremendous accomplishment for Coebourn and Penn-Delco,” said Superintendent George Steinhoff. “In the past few years, Coebourn has earned the distinctive Blue Ribbon award, National School of Character Award, and now the Green Ribbon as well. These are tangible recognitions of the wonderful things happening there in areas leading to a great school experience. Congratulations Coebourn Elementary.”