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Chesapeake Schools to Go For the Green Ribbon

by
Sarah Brzezinski

Last Monday, the US Department of Education announced that 33 states and the District of Columbia have submitted intents to nominate schools for the new Green Ribbon Schools awards program launched this past September. Congratulations should go out to all of the state departments of education in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC): All of them have declared their intent to nominate schools in their jurisdictions for the Green Ribbon Schools program!

Maryland Interim State Superintendent Bernard Sadusky said he expects a great deal of interest in the new Green Ribbon program. “Our schools have long felt a connection to the world around them,” Dr. Sadusky said in a press release last Monday. “The outdoors is a natural extension of the classroom for many of our students. We look forward to participating in this valuable program.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is also voiced his support for the program via press release last Monday, saying “We are excited about the potential impact the Green Ribbon Schools awards program can have in encouraging schools to improve their energy efficiency, create healthy environments for students and staff, and enhance their work to effectively prepare graduates for 21st century careers.”

Participating states are currently in the process of posting applications for schools in their districts, so keep your eyes on the State Department of Education websites! Below, you can check out the contact information (provided by US ED) for each Watershed state’s department of education representative for the Green Ribbon Schools program. Brief updates on the status of the Green Ribbon Schools application process are also included where available: