Broward County School District Honored for Going Green
DOE Press Office 850-245-0413
Broward County School District Honored for Going Green
~ District one of nine in the nation selected for the Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award ~Tallahassee, Fla., April 24, 2014 - The Broward County School District is one of only nine districts in the nation receiving the prestigious Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award. The district was recognized for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote health and wellness of students and staff, and provide effective environmental and sustainability education that includes civics, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and green career pathways.
"I am very proud of Broward County's students, teachers and school administrators for their commitment to being environmentally responsible," said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. "They are to be commended for making sure the district and schools utilize proven environmental practices not only to save precious resources, but for also providing numerous activities that promote health and wellness."
The Broward County School district has shown an incredible commitment to becoming a high-performing green district. They are recognized for continuing growth in environmental stewardship initiatives such as school gardens, wildlife habitats, classroom recycling programs and an integrated environmental curriculum. At the district level, various departments within the district implemented energy savings techniques that resulted in reduced energy costs of more than $34 million, saving $11 million in energy costs just last year.
Over the past two years, the district saved 2.2 million gallons of water through outdoor irrigation systems and an additional $323,000 in reduced potable water and energy. The district also sponsors district-wide health and wellness initiatives such as Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Growing Healthy Kids with Holy Cross Hospital, Jump Rope for Heart, Farm to School, 4-H Clubs, Y-FIT-YMCA and Project Bridge Anti-Bullying Program and Policy. The Broward County School District is also recognized as a Florida Healthy School District at the silver level by the Florida Coordinated School Health Partnership, Florida Action for Healthy Kids and Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
The Green Ribbon Schools Award program is part of a U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and share practices that improve student engagement, promote higher academic achievement and increase graduation rates and workforce preparedness, as well as increasing energy independence and economic security.
In addition to this national competition, Florida has been recognizing students, classes, teachers, schools and districts through the Florida Green School Network Awards Program since 2008. The application for the 2013-14 awards will open on April 30, 2014 and can be accessed at http://www.floridagreenschoolnetwork.org/green-school-award/florida-green-school-awards. The Florida Department of Education partners with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Health and Sustainable Florida to encourage schools and districts throughout the state to apply for the Florida Green School Award.
For more information about the Green Ribbon Schools Awards, visit Green Ribbon Schools.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education's green school efforts, visit Florida Green School Network.