SPRINGFIELD – A Mount Prospect Middle School’s commitment to environmental education and health and wellness practices earned state recognition under a program that celebrates schools’ efforts to “go green” -- and not just on St. Patrick’s Day. River Trails Middle School garnered the state’s Green Ribbon award and is among 87 nominees across the nation to compete in the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools awards program. Winners will be announced next month. 

“Students and staff at River Trails find ways to incorporate healthy habits into all aspects of learning and living,” said State Superintendent of Education Christopher A. Koch. “They are sharing their experiences and knowledge with their families and community members, and demonstrating that living green can cut costs, improve health and create a healthy global environment that can be sustained for future generations.”

Teachers at the school in River Trails School District 26 have participated in a wide range of professional development opportunities to develop approaches and curricula that meet environmental standards aligned with the new Illinois Learning Standards in Science.

“Being selected an Illinois Green Ribbon award recipient is quite an honor. This district, with the help of the kids, has managed to transform the culture of our school into one where a healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment are now the norm,” said Steve Letzig, a seventh-grade social studies teacher. “The kids are actively engaged in all sorts of activities, from working out in the new fitness center to building model wind farms in class. The staff, too, have bought into our ‘vision of the future,’ evidenced by their participation in yoga, staff-versus-students basketball games, and district wellness programs.”

All students explore sustainability of the environment through a curriculum unit called Energy and the Environment. Students are challenged to think globally as they explore solutions to energy needs and investigate the impact of energy on daily life and the world. They design and demonstrate alternative energy sources and evaluate options for reducing energy consumption.

Physical education is also a priority for students at the middle school and throughout River Trails School District 26. A committee that includes teachers, administrators, food service personnel, school board members, parents and two students meets regularly to review the district’s wellness policy and discuss ways it can be improved. The school’s commitment to improving student and staff health has led to a number of changes:

• Increased physical activity.
• Healthier celebrations and snacks. Only fruit, vegetables and hard cheese are served during district and school celebrations and snack time.
• Increased staff participation in wellness screenings.

River Trails Middle School’s application has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools awards program. It is one of 87 nominees from a total of 30 states submitting nominees.

This year’s program includes schools, districts and institutions of higher education. Applications for the program, which is now in its fourth year, were submitted to ISBE in November. Qualifying nominations reflect the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools’ three pillars: reduced environmental impact, improved health and wellness, and environmental literacy. The department will announce its winners in April.

There will be an award ceremony in Washington, D.C., in July.

For more information about the Illinois Green Ribbon Schools program and to see past winners, visit http://www.isbe.net/green_ribbon/.