FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 2, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

DEP ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR GREEN SCHOOL AWARDS

~Upcoming event recognizes Florida’s schools and educators excelling in green initiatives~

TALLAHASSEE - The Sixth Annual Florida Green School Awards ceremony and banquet is being held Oct. 8 to celebrate the finalists for their contributions in conserving energy and water, and reducing waste.

The state of Florida recognizes the efforts of students, teachers and school administrators through the Florida Green School Awards. The awards program is organized by the Florida Green School Network in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Health and Sustainable Florida. Five years ago, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Green School Awards, which have documented savings totaling more than $87 million since 2009.

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.

The finalists for the upcoming awards ceremony are listed below. 

School District Finalists

Alachua County Public Schools

Orange County Public Schools

Seminole County Public Schools

School Finalists

Castle Creek Elementary, Orange County

Eagles Landing Middle School, Palm Beach County

Odyssey Charter School, Brevard County

Teacher Finalists 

Dee Wainwright, Eagles Landing Middle School, Palm Beach County

Linda Gancitano, Driftwood Academy for Health and Wellness, Broward County

Missy O'Connor, Hobe Sound Elementary School, Martin County

Student Finalists                                                              

Environmental Club, Miami Springs Middle School, Miami-Dade County

Jesse Martin, Odyssey Charter School, Brevard County

Nature Know It All Group, Hobe Sound Elementary School, Martin County

Class Finalists

Seventh Grade Life Science Class, Unity School, Palm Beach Count

Fay Martinez's Fifth and Sixth Grades, The Cushman School, Miami-Dade County

Gulf Elementary Fourth and Fifth Grades, Lee County

Service Learning Council, Timber Creek High School, Orange County

WHAT:      Sixth Annual Florida Green School Awards

WHEN:      Wednesday, Oct. 8

                  6 – 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:    Streamsong Resort

                  1000 Streamsong Drive

                  Streamsong, FL, 33834

To learn more about the Florida Green School Awards, click here.

About the Office of Environmental Education

The Office of Environmental Education is the lead office for programs seeking to build environmental literacy in Florida with special emphasis on students and teachers. The OEE program includes three main initiatives: 1) the Learning in Florida’s Environment program, 2) the Florida Green School Network, and 3) Outreach in support of the Department’s core mission. These program areas provide real-world opportunities for learners and educators that combine Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields that promote career paths for employment in the increasingly complex field of environmental protection.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/d2a8c6