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Green Schools National Conference
Three FPS staff members attended the Green Schools National Conference in Denver, Colorado, in late February 2012. The second annual conference featured two days of educational sessions, an exhibit hall, field trips, and a general session with keynote speaker US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.
Secretary Duncan outlined the goals of green schools, “Collectively, we're seeking to reduce schools' environmental impact and improve their energy efficiency; improve health, in both everyday practices and surroundings; and advance environmental learning.”
He continued by identifying the benefits of integrated environmental curriculum: “Students who receive a well-rounded education are more likely to graduate ready to innovate and collaborate in working toward a sustainable, clean energy economy. They are more likely to grow into caring responsible citizens, ready to participate in the civic life of their communities, ready to be good stewards of the world.”
Secretary Duncan also highlighted the new US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program designed to “recognize schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.”
For more information about the Green Ribbon Schools program, please visit: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html
FPS Energy Corps member Sammi Jones, who attended the conference, enjoyed Secretary Duncan’s remarks and said, “I think it is really encouraging to see support from the Department of Education and USDA for environmental initiatives in our schools. It is inspiring to know we are part of a national effort to create healthy, efficient spaces that encourage environmental stewardship.”
Attendees also had the opportunity to network with schools from across the country to share ideas and resources.
“The most valuable part of attending the conference was gathering information from other schools who are recycling, growing gardens, reducing waste, and implementing Farm to School programs. There was a wealth of knowledge at the conference and I am excited to implement what I learned throughout our district,” said Sammi.
Dana Smith, FPS Sustainability Coordinator, also found the educational sessions informative and inspiring, “It was wonderful to network with teachers, staff, and administrators from schools across the country who have a common goal -- to create high performance schools. I was also reassured Fayetteville Public Schools is part of a growing national initiative and has plenty to learn from and contribute to the conversation.”
Dana Smith and Connie Crisp, FHS Service Learning instructor, attended the conference with support from a State Learn and Serve grant. Of the experience, Connie said, “I was amazed at the number of schools who have embraced environmental education and developed their curriculum around these issues using grade appropriate state standards and hands on projects that get the students ready for the real world and gives them a view of what they can do to improve the world they live in.”
Connie and Dana were also able to tour the Denver Green School during the conference.
The Denver Green School is an Innovation School focused on project based curriculum with a mission to “provide a hands-on, brains-on experience that includes all students, staff, families and community, preparing all learners to lead the way toward a sustainable, bright and green future.” For more information about the Denver Green School, please visit: http://www.denvergreenschool.org/
Seeing students actively engaged in project based learning in an efficient building that included solar light tubes and a one acre urban farm reinforced Secretary Duncan’s closing remarks, “In the 21st century, green schools are not add-ons to a good education. To succeed in the knowledge-based, global economy, children should receive tasty, nutritious food and plenty of outdoor physical activity to help them excel academically... We want to encourage all schools to provide a sustainable education.”
Click here (http://www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org/) for more information about the Green Schools National Conference.