District recognized with ‘Green Ribbon’
Award from U.S. Dept. of Education rewards reduced impacts, sustainability
ROYERSFORD » School colors aside, Spring-Ford has gone all-in on green.
The Spring-Ford Area School District is one of only five districts nationally to be named a “Green Ribbon School” by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Across the country, 27 schools, five districts, and four postsecondary institutions have been honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.
Shippensburg University was the only other school in Pennsylvania to receive the honor; one of four nationally in the post-secondary institution category.
The award recognizes schools, districts and institutions of higher education that: reduce environmental impact and costs; improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and provide effective environmental and sustainability education.
“We are honored to be among the list of public and postsecondary schools that value the importance of education, awareness, and being responsible stewards of our environment and community,” said Spring-Ford Superintendent Robert Rizzo.
“It takes a community of committed individuals and school board support to take positive steps toward running a cleaner district. It is important to acknowledge our curriculum and operations departments along with the staff, students, and school board for their collective efforts toward making a difference daily,” he said. “This is yet another way to show our Spring-Ford pride.”
The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 19 states. Spring-Ford was nominated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Highlights from Spring-Ford’s nomination include:
• Geothermal HVAC systems • A district-wide emergency conservation policy • Participating in an energy curtailment response program • Use of the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager • Low-flow bathroom fixtures • Water bottle filling stations • Annual recycling of nearly 50 tons • 100 percent Green Seal cleaning products • Water testing program • Secondary programs incorporating the SpringFord Memorial Arboretum
• Elementary programs incorporating outdoor classrooms, ponds, pollinator gardens, raised garden beds, shade structures and glass murals
“This year’s U.S. Department of Education Green
Ribbon Schools honorees have raised the bar for sustainability, healthy and safe school environments, and hands-on learning experiences that connect students of all ages to the world around them,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release issued by the department. “As we
recover from a pandemic that highlighted the need to modernize school infrastructure, improve ventilation, and create versatile indoor and outdoor learning spaces, we have an opportunity to invest in sustainable practices that enhance student learning, health, and well-being.”
Recently, the Education
Department proposed an Office of Infrastructure and Sustainability and a National Clearinghouse on School Infrastructure and Sustainability as part of the President’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget request to support schools in creating safe, healthy, and sustainable 21st-century learning environments.