JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Education announced earlier this month that Duval County Public Schools is among the Department’s 2017 Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Awardees.
DCPS was nominated by Commissioner Pam Stewart of the Florida Department of Education on the basis of meeting three pillar accomplishments: reducing environmental impacts, providing an educational culture that makes leading a healthy lifestyle second nature and implementing environmental and sustainability education by using STEM-based curriculum.
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“Being conscious of environmental impacts and taking the necessary action to make a difference are the first steps to becoming a green organization. We have demonstrated that commitment by implementing a variety of programs designed to lower energy costs, increase educational opportunities, and encourage sustainable practices,” Dr. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Duval County Public Schools, said. “Recognition on a national scale reaffirms that we are on the right track when it comes to supporting a sustainable environment. Most importantly, educating our youth about being responsible to the environment are life lessons that will extend beyond graduation.”
Duval County Public Schools have a variety of green programs and initiatives that highlight why it is a Green Ribbon School District.
The district has created friendly competition among schools so they strive for continuous conservation behavioral improvement through the Green Champions Network. This competition also occurs between district facility personnel on a building-by-building basis, and produces positive district-wide results.
Based on the USDOE rankings, DCPS is the best of the Big 7 Florida public school districts. Since 2005, DCPS has experienced a 32 percent energy use reduction, an overall utility cost drop from $26 million to $20 million and a 42 percent recycling rate. Facilities are maintained in a healthy manner by paying close attention to indoor air quality, utilizing green materials when applicable, and monitoring and maintaining utility systems that support the district’s green initiatives.
From energy efficiency to instruction, students and teachers have far greater opportunities to make positive long-term impacts to the environment. DCPS provides teachers annual professional development courses in environmental sciences, and students have more opportunities to participate in a variety of environmentally-focused field trips.
The district’s STEAM Cultural Passport program, in partnership with St. Johns River Keeper, allows fifth-grade students to engage in science-based, hands-on learning experiences that help develop a better understanding of local ecosystems. Other programs include student visits to the University of North Florida Eco Adventure and Tree Hill Nature Center. Second-grade students visit the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens to study interactions between people, nature, and man-made worlds.
“In addition to helping our students become environmental stewards, we will continue to make sure our facilities implement conservation practices to lower energy use, work with our vendors to provide efficient vehicle fleet and busing solutions, and continue to partner with local organizations and businesses to ‘greenscape’ our schools,” Susan Carew, E.I., LEED AP, Director, Facility Engineering and Energy, said.
Across the country, 45 schools, nine districts and nine post-secondary institutions were honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness and ensure effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 28 states and the Department of Defense Department of Education Activity. The selectees included 39 public schools, including five magnet schools and one charter school, as well as six nonpublic schools.
Forty-four percent of the 2017 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body and 14 percent are rural. The post-secondary honorees include three career and technical and community colleges.
Click here to read a report that highlights the 63 honorees (selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities).
Click here for more information on the federal recognition award.