FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 22, 2013
DEP ANNOUNCES LIST OF GREEN SCHOOL FINALISTS
~Upcoming event will recognize students, faculty and districts excelling in green school initiatives~
TALLAHASSEE, FL- The 5th Annual Florida Green School Awards Ceremony and Banquet will be held Oct. 29 to celebrate the finalists for their contributions in saving and conserving energy and water and reducing waste.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Health, Sustainable Florida and committed community members annually have held the Florida Green School Awards to recognize the environmental achievements of students, teachers, classes, schools and school districts in Florida. This year, DEP, the Department of Education, Department of Health and Sustainable Florida signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to promote green schools in Florida.
Since 2009, applicants to the Green School Awards program have generated $66 million in cumulative gross cost savings. To apply, participants are encouraged to address one or more of the five approved green school themes. These categories include Green Learning Environments, Exemplary Programs in Curriculum and Teaching, Service Learning, Policy and Partnerships and Recycling.
Below the finalists for the upcoming awards ceremony are listed, as well as three of last year’s awardees, who will be honored for their recurrent achievements under their categories.
COUNTY STUDENT FINALISTS SCHOOL NAME
Palm Beach Erin Donahue Saint Joseph's Episcopal School
Citrus Kaleb Jemison Academy of Environmental Science
Brevard The AVID students Stone Middle School
CLASS FINALISTS
Duval Ms. Petote's 5th Grade Class Ruth N. Upson Elementary
Orange Ocoee HS agriculture classes Ocoee High School
Orange Service Learning Council Timber Creek High School
TEACHER FINALISTS
Polk Deb Wagner St. Paul Lutheran School
Duval Jessica Petote Ruth N. Upson Elementary
Hillsborough Sharon Cutler Lawton Chiles Elementary
SCHOOL FINALISTS
Brevard Audubon Elementary School
Palm Beach Eagles Landing Outdoor Learning Center
Hillsborough Lawton Chiles Elementary
DISTRICT FINALISTS
Broward Broward County Public Schools P3 Team
Lee School District of Lee County Curriculum and Staff Development
Palm Beach School District of Palm Beach Co.
In addition, three of last year’s awardees will be honored for their recurring achievements under their categories.
- Mr. Escobedo's Junior Level Class, TERRA Environmental Research Institute(Dade)
- Driftwood Middle School, Academy of Health and Welness (Broward)
- Duval County Public Schools, DCPS Green Champions (Duval)
The ceremony will take place:
6:30- 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Hyatt Regency Orlando
9801 International Drive
Orlando
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