MIssouri Green Ribbon Schools

Introduction

DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools will recognize schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. The recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

NOMINATION PROCESS: As with the Blue Ribbon Schools recognition award, schools do not apply to the U.S. Department of Education but to state education departments. Each state may nominate up to four schools. If a state wishes to nominate more than one public school, at least one must be a school with at least 40 percent of their students from a disadvantaged background. If a state wishes to nominate a fourth school, one must be a private school. The U.S. Department of Education will select approximately 50 award winners in the pilot year.

AWARD BENEFITS: While the award confers no federal funds, winners of the Green Ribbon Schools may experience national and local press coverage, re-energized staff and parents, enhanced community support, increased application rates, and new private financial assistance. Winners will be invited to participate in national and local recognition ceremonies.

MISSOURI TIMELINE: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must receive a school's application by

4:00 pm, Friday March 2, 2012 - MIssouri Deadline

Missouri will submit its nominees to the UD Department of Education on or before

March 22, 2012 - Federal Deadline for State Submissions

Winners will be announced during Earth Week

April 16 -23, 2012 - Announcement of Winners

US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Site

 

Criteria

The Green Ribbon School Criteria cover 3 Pillars, 9 Elements, and approximately 20 sub areas. Below is a summary of the criteria and the quantitative measures needed for the Missouri (and eventually the Federal ) application.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to keep in mind that this is an AMBITIOUS STANDARD. Very few, if any, schools in the nation are likely to score 100% in all three main areas. However, even if you feel your school may not be ready to apply this year, the criteria listed below can help guide your school's progress on important and realistic sustainability goals leading to a more cost efficient, healthier and effective learning environment for your students.

Read through the criteria below to see which ones your school may already be meeting, the low hanging fruit (things easily accomoplished with minimal changes in the next few months) and based on that decide whether to proceed with a Missouri application.

Missouri Green Ribbon Schools Application Page

Department of Education Criteria spreadsheet (with resources)

MEEA can provide resources on curriculum, professional devleopment, partnering with your local organizations and agencies or with any other questions you may have about the application or resources. Contact Jan Weaver at weaverjc@missouri.edu

  1. Net Zero Impact - 30 points total
    1. Element 1A Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - 15 points
      • Energy [Energy Star certification, documented reduction in non-transport energy, % energy from on-site and purchased renewable energy]
      • Buildings [recently renovated and total building area that is LEED (Leadership in energy and Environmental Design), CHPS (Collaborative for High Performing Schools), Green Globes or other standard; GHG offsets; Facility Energy Assessment Matrix in EPA's Guidelines for Energy Mangement, Furniture purchases certified "level" ecolabel by Busiiness and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association; Energy and water efficient product purchase policy; other documented and quantified indicators of GHG reduction]
    2. Element 1B Improved water quality, efficiency, and conservation - 5 points
      • Water [% reduction in water use; audits of water systems to id leaks; water conserving landscape practices; water efficient, native or adapted plants; alternative water sources (e.g. gray water); protection of drining water (if from well); lead protection; other ways to improve water qualtiy, efficiency and conservation]
      • Grounds [% of social and beneficial uses of grounds, including for wiildlife]
    3. Element 1C Reduced Waste Production - 5 points
      • Waste [% waste diverted from landfill or incinerator by reuse, composting and/or recycling; % paper content by cost is post consumer recycled or paper fromFSC (Forest Stewardship Council), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) American Tree Farm System or other cerfifier; % paper content by cost is totally chlorine-free (TCF) or processed-chlorine-free (PCF)]
      • Hazardous Waste [lbs hazardous waste per student/year, types, how it is monitored; policy for storage, managment an disposal in place and enforced; citations for improper managment in last three years; % of total computer purchases by cost are EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) certified, disposal of computers and other electronics; % of cleaning products by cost certified green, standards used; custodial program based on principles of effective managment and green service; custodial program certified by ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard - Green Building or equivalent; other indicators]
    4. Element 1D Use of alternative transportation to, during and from school - 5 points
      • [% students who walk, bike, bus or carpool (2+ students n car) to/from school (include calculations); no idling policy; vehicles loading and unloading >25 ft away from building intakes including doors and windows; alternative vehicle use; active "Safe Pedestrian Routes" or "Safe Routes to School" program; other]

  2. Net Positive Impact on Health and Performance of Students and Staff - 30 points total
    1. Element 2A An integrated school environmental health program 20 points
      • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) [IPM plan in place; pest control policies etc. posted, parents and staff notified; annual summaries of applications, labels, notices and MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheets) accessible; children restricted from application areas]
      • Ventilation [ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) or your state or local code; local exhaust systems at all airborne contaminant sources; energy recovery ventilations systems]
      • Contaminant Controls [radon testing in last 12 months, % classrooms >4 pCi/L mitigated in conformance of ASTM E2121; inventory of CO producing appliances and annual inspection of them, CO alarms; replacement of Hg containing devices with non-HG, disposal of unwanted Hg materials in accordance wtith federal, state, local regualtions; CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) structures replaced or sealed within last 12 months;
      • Asthma Control [asthma management program in place consistent with NAEPP (National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Asthma Friendly Schools Guidelines]
      • Indoor Air Quality [smoking prohibited on campus;comprehensive indoor air quality management plan consistent with IAQ Tools for Schools]
      • Moisture Control [structures visually inspected on regular basis and free of mold, moisture and water leakage; indoor relative humidity <60% or 20-30% in cold climates during freezing temperatures; moisture resistant materials/protective systems installed]
      • Chemical Management [program with these elements: purchasing including low- or no-VOC, chemical inventory, storage and labeling, training and handling, hazard communication, spills/clean-up/disposal, EPA's Design for the Environmt, approved cleaning products; other]
    2. Element 2B High standards of nutrition, fitness, and quantity and quality of outdoor time 10 points
      • Fitness and Outdoor Time [% of students engaged in at least 150 minutes of school - supervised phys ed or outdoor time per week in last year, average amount of time each student engages in school-supervised phys ed or outdoor time]
      • Food [USDA's Healthier US School Challenge Award for school food' % of food by cost purchased certified as environmentally preferable (e.g. organic, fair trade, Food Alliance, Rainforest Alliance, etc.); % of food by cost grown and processed within 200 miles of school, onsite garden in which students participate]
      • UV Safety [% of current student body participation in EPA Sunwise or similar program]

  3. 100% of the School's Graduates are Environmentally and Sustainbiity Literate - 40 points total
    1. Element 3A Interdisciplinary learning about the key relationships between dynamic environmental, energy and human systems 20 points [% students scoring proficient or better during HS on state or school environmental education assessments, sustainabilty assessments, environmental science assessments; STATE environmental or sustainability literacy graduation requirement; environmental and sustainability concepts integrated throughout curriculum; % eligible graduates completing AP Environmental Science during school, % scoring 3 or better; IF NO STATE or SCHOOL environmental science, sustainability or environmental education assessments, % students scoring proficient or better on science education assessments; professional development for all teachers at least every other year; does environmental education program pay particular attention to scientific practices (asking questions, devleoping and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using math and computational thinnking, constructing explanations and engaging in argument and applications based on evidend; students have meaningful outdoor expriences (investigative or experiential project that engages studens in critical thinking, problem solvin and decision making) at every level]
    2. Element 3B Use of the environment and sustainability to devleop STEM content, knowledge, and thinking skills 10 points [students graduate with robust science education that includes deep understanding of life, physical and earth sciences (% enrolled in environmental and other earth sciences, assessments, post-secondary school or career intended focus)]; demonstrated connection between classroom content and college and career readiness, especialy to post-secondary options in environmental and sustainability fields, studies, careers]
    3. Element 3C Development and application of civic engagement knowledge and skills 10 points [% last year's graduates that scored proficient or better on community or civic engagement skills assessment; students required to conduct age-appropriate civic/community engagement project around a self-selected environmental or sustainabillity topic at every grade level; % students completing such a project; partnerships with local businesses, agencies, non-profits, informal science or academic institutions and/or other schools to advance school and community towards 3 PILLARS and or assist progress of other schools, especially those with lesser capacity; outdoor classrooms with native plantings used to teach array of subjects in context and to engage broader community and develop civic skills; other