green ribbon schoolsIllinois Green Ribbon Schools

Illinois among 40 states launching recognition program for energy efficient `Green Ribbon’ Schools

Illinois has joined 39 other states participating in the second Green Ribbon Schools award program to recognize the most green and healthy schools in the nation. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will accept nominations from schools that that have integrated best practices in energy, water and waste management, healthy school Green Ribbon Schoolsenvironments and environmental education with up to four schools advancing to the national competition.

“Environmentally efficient and healthy schools are critical to our state’s wellness and fiscal future,” said State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. “We encourage all schools in Illinois that have taken a comprehensive approach to environmental education and management to nominate schools to this recognition program and inspire a new generation of great thinkers to work toward greater sustainability.”

IlIllinois is among 40 states, the District of Columbia and the Bureau of Indian Education that will nominate schools to the U.S. Department of Education for the new award. Applications are due to ISBE by January 4, 2013 updated and nominations should reflect the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools’ three pillars of reduced environmental impact, improved health and environmental literacy. Illinois nominees will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education by February 15, 2013. The Department will announce winners in April 2013.

Each state may submit up to four nominees from public or private schools serving any configuration of K-12 grades, to the U.S. Department of Education. If a state nominates more than one public school, at least one must be a school with at least 40 percent of students eligible for free and reduced-price school meals.green ribbon schools

Illinois will announce its nominees in mid-February. Following the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement of winners in April 2013, there will be an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. in late May 2013. The national ceremony will be followed by local ceremonies at each of the winning schools in fall 2013.

For more information about the federal Green Ribbon Schools program, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html

Application to nominate Illinois Schools

Green Ribbon Application (fillable PDF form for use with online application) PDF format


Resources

USDE Green Ribbon Schools