The U.S. Department of Education (US ED) Green Ribbon Schools program, which is being piloted during the 2011-2012 school year, will 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. This March, 33 states, the District of Columbia, the Bureau of Indian Education (DOI/BIE), and the Department of Defense’s school district (DoDEA) will each nominate the top four schools in their jurisdiction where staff, students, officials and communities have worked together to produce energy efficient, sustainable and healthy school environments and to ensure the sustainability and environmental literacy of graduates. US ED anticipates announcing the approximately 100 award winners this April during the week of Earth Day.
Since our last blog on this topic, Chesapeake Schools to Go for the Green Ribbon, the state departments of education in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have been very busy developing new websites, timelines, and program applications for their individual competitions so they can select the top four green schools in their jurisdictions to nominate for the national competition.
To help school administrators and teachers in Watershed states begin their application process for their state-level program, we here at Bay Backpack have compiled some of the most important information and links. Though we provide some due dates and application links below, please be sure to review the guidance provided on your state’s Green Ribbon School website, or to contact your state Green Ribbon School representative before filling out the application. These resources will provide you with more specific instructions regarding the application process and/or timeline.
| DC - Expected Timeline & Resources |
|---|
| Deadline: |
Event: |
Links: |
| January 9 |
Application Released |
Review the Application form |
| January 26 |
Application Training |
Training will be conducted at OSSE (810 1st
Street NE) in room 4004 from 1pm-2pm |
| March 2 |
Application Submission Deadline |
Complete the Application form |
| TBD |
Nominations Announced & Sent to US ED |
N/A - Visit the general DC Green Ribbon website |
| DC Public Schools Contact: Sam Ullery, School Garden Specialist in the Department of Wellness and Nutrition, (202)741-6485, sam.ullery@dc.gov |
| Delaware - Expected Timeline & Resources |
|---|
| Deadline: |
Event: |
Links: |
| TBD |
Application Release Date |
DE Green Ribbon website is under development |
| TBD |
Application Submission Deadline |
DE Green Ribbon website is under development |
| TBD |
Nominations Announced |
DE Green Ribbon website is under development |
| TBD |
Nominations Sent to US ED |
DE Green Ribbon website is under development |
| Delaware State Contact: Lisa Bishop, Special Assistant to the Secretary, lbishop@DOE.K12.DE.US |
| New York - Expected Timeline & Resources |
|---|
| Deadline: |
Event: |
Links: |
| January 20 |
Call for Applications |
Materials under development; to be posted HERE |
| February 24 |
Application Submission Deadline |
Materials under development; to be posted HERE |
| March 22 |
Nominations Sent to US ED |
N/A - Visit the general NY Green Ribbon website |
| March 30 |
Nominations Announced |
N/A - Visit the general NY Green Ribbon website |
| New York State Contact: Carl T. Thurnau, Director of Facilities, (518) 474-3906, CTHURNAU@MAIL.NYSED.GOV |
| Pennsylvania - Expected Timeline & Resources |
|---|
| Deadline: |
Event: |
Links: |
| January |
Application Help & Resource Guides Posted |
Review the Application Help Guide & Resource Guide |
| January |
Application Worksheet Posted |
Review the Application PDF |
| February 23 |
Application Submission Deadline |
Complete the Application form online |
| TBD |
Nominations Announced & Sent to US ED |
N/A - Visit the general PA Green Schools website |
| Pennsylvania State Contact: Patricia L. Vathis, Environment and Ecology Curriculum Advisor, (717)783-6994, pvathis@pa.gov |
| Virginia - Expected Timeline & Resources |
|---|
| Deadline: |
Event: |
Links: |
| January 12 |
Letter of Intent |
Complete the Letter of Intent form |
| January 3 |
Application Training Webinar (optional) |
Register for the webinar with this form |
| February 21 |
Application Submission Deadline |
Complete the Application form |
| March 15 |
Nominations Announced & Sent to US ED |
N/A - Visit the general VA Green Ribbon website |
| Virginia State Contact: Eric M. Rhoades, Science Coordinator, (804)786-2481, Eric.Rhoades@doe.virginia.gov |
