FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 14, 2012
DEP RECOGNIZES THE MAGNOLIA SCHOOL
FOR RECYCLING PLEDGE
~Pledge card program awards Florida schools for commitment to environment through recycling~
 DEP Secretary Vinyard and Magnolia School students share their excitement for recycling.
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. today recognized the Magnolia School in Tallahassee as one of three statewide winners for the America Recycles Day K-12 Pledge Card Contest. The 57-student school was awarded a refurbished computer, courtesy of Creative Recycling Systems, Inc., for the school’s pledge of environmental stewardship.
“Congratulations to the students at the Magnolia School, who not only pledged to protect our environment by recycling and reusing, but also promised to help teach others about the importance of these habits,” said DEP Secretary Vinyard. “I encourage Florida’s students and residents statewide to help our state’s natural resources by practicing green habits, like recycling, as well as spending more time outdoors enjoying Florida’s one-of-a-kind environmental treasures.”
Florida schools submitted 6,636 pledges, contributing 20 percent of the 32,637 pledges submitted nationwide. The Magnolia School submitted the highest number of pledges per capita with 148 pledges total and 2.84 pledges per student. Per capita pledges are calculated by dividing the number of students attending the school by the total number of pledges submitted by the school. The other two winning schools included Cedar Key School in Levy County and Miami Palmetto High in Miami Dade County.
"Protecting our natural environment is a core value at the Magnolia School, and one that we try to instill in our students,” said the Magnolia School Administrative Director Katy McGlynn. “We are pleased to display our commitment to Florida’s environment by being a statewide winner of DEP’s Recycling Pledge Card Contest."
The Magnolia School pledge cards were entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate from Publix. Becky Pycke, a Magnolia School parent, received the gift card at today's ceremony.
Across Florida, pledges were submitted to adopt conscientious living habits such as reusing, recycling, buying recycled products and encouraging others to develop these important habits for the America Recycles Day K-12 Pledge Card Contest. DEP, Recycle Florida Today, Creative Recycling Systems, Inc. and Publix Super Markets hosted the contest to recognize Florida schools for outstanding environmental commitment.
The Magnolia School opened in August 1985 with seven students and two dedicated teachers. Since then the school has grown, averaging up to 60 students with a staff of 15. The school was founded on the idea that the natural inclination to learn that young children possess should be nurtured and allowed to flourish in a safe, caring environment.
Florida celebrates America Recycles Day each November to encourage residents to make the world a better place by reducing waste.
 Max Brey, eighth grade student at The Magnolia School, uses computer donated by Creative Recycling Systems, Inc.
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