Illinois Green Ribbon Schools
Illinois among 33 states launching recognition program for energy efficient `Green Ribbon’ Schools
Illinois has joined 32 other states participating in the first federal 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 
environments 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.”
Illinois is among 33 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 February 12, 2012 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 March 22, 2012. The Department will announce winners in April 2012.
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.
Illinois will announce its nominees in mid-February. Following the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement of winners in April 2012, there will be an award ceremony in Washington, D.C. in late May 2012. The national ceremony will be followed by local ceremonies at each of the winning schools in fall 2012.
For more information about the federal Green Ribbon Schools program, visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html
Resources
- ISBE Press Release - Illinois Launching Recognition Program for Energy Efficient 'Green Ribbon' Schools (January 9, 2012)
- US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Awards Fact Sheet
- States Participating in Pilot Year Green Ribbon Schools Program (USDE)
- Green Ribbon Schools Introduction PowerPoint Presentation
