Site icon The Boca Raton Tribune

FAU Recognizes Palm Beach County Schools for ‘Going Green’

Bocatribune

BOCA RATON, FL (May 21, 2012) – Sixty public and private schools in Palm Beach County that have made the grade in going “green” during this school year recently celebrated their efforts at the fourth annual Green Schools Awards Luncheon at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. The Green Schools Recognition Program is coordinated by Florida Atlantic University’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center in collaboration with the School District of Palm Beach County, as well as with the support of a host of community partners including Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County; Florida Power & Light Company (FPL); Florida Department of Transportation’s SchoolPool; Audubon Society of the Everglades; Chastain Charitable Foundation; GetPaid2Recycle.com; and Slow Food® Glades to Coast.

“Recognition was given to ‘Green Schools of Promise,’ ‘Green Schools of Quality’ and ‘Green Schools of Excellence,’” said Susan Toth, director of education at FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. “These levels illustrate that ‘going green’ is a journey and that schools should be acknowledged for their efforts along the way.  By implementing environmentally-focused initiatives and learning experiences at the school level, teachers and administrators are serving as examples for students on how to be good stewards of the environment.”

The program recognizes schools for taking a holistic and innovative approach to going ”green” by incorporating school ground enhancement, resource conservation, curriculum connections and community involvement with a school-wide commitment and focus on sustainability. Fifteen of the outstanding schools received green for going “green” in the form of cash. Cash awards totaled more than $8,000 for demonstrating exceptional leadership as models for implementing green school programs and practices.

“Schools are the natural place to teach the next generation how to care for our environment, and schools are perfectly positioned to lead the way in showing our community how to be more sustainable,” said Patti Hammond, assistant recycling team manager for the Solid Waste Authority.

Top award winners included:

In addition, “Judges Choice Awards” were given to schools that demonstrate excellence in specific areas. The following schools were selected:

The Green School honorees in their respective categories are:

2012 Green Schools of Excellence:

2012 Green Schools of Quality:

2012 Green Schools of Promise

 

Exit mobile version