Presenting Green Strides: Environment, Health and Facilities at ED

Introducing Green Strides: Environment, Health and Facilities at ED

The new U.S. Department of Education Green Strides page is here! ED is working to make all schools healthier, safer and more sustainable with initiatives in the areas of facilities, health and environment. The page provides all school communities access to the tools that help them move toward the Pillars of our U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award. 

 

 The Green Strides Webinar Series: For All Schools Moving Toward the Pillars

The Green Strides Webinar Series acquaints school communities with the tools to reduce their schools’ environmental impact and costs; improve health and wellness; and teach effective environmental literacy, including STEM, green careers, and civic engagement. Find more sessions for educators, facilities managers, and advocates weekly. >>> 

 

Feb. 27, 2013, 4-5 p.m. Healthy Living – Healthy Students (NWF) 

Mar. 6, 2013, 2-3 p.m. Integrated Pest Management in Schools (EPA) 

Mar. 13, 2013, 4-5 p.m. Food and Fitness (NASA) 

Mar. 13, 2013, 7-8 p.m. Taking Technology Outdoors (NEEF) 

Mar. 20, 2013, 4-5 p.m. Radiation Exposure on Earth (NASA) 

Apr. 3, 2013, 2-3 p.m. The Three T’s of Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools (EPA) 

Apr. 3, 2013, 7-8 p.m. 21st C. Tools for Environmental Learning (NEEF/ Green Teacher) 

Apr. 10, 2013, 4-5 p.m. Pathways to Green Jobs and Careers in Natural Resources (USDA) 

April 16, 2013 at 4-5 p.m. Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors (NEEF/ EPA) 

And many more scheduled through fall 2013!

 

Obama Outlines Bold Education Proposals with ‘Schools Worthy of Our Children’ 

“I propose a ‘Fix-It-First’ program to put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs…And, to make sure taxpayers don’t shoulder the whole burden, I’m also proposing a Partnership to Rebuild America that attracts private capital to upgrade what our businesses need most: modern ports to move our goods, modern pipelines to withstand a storm, modern schools worthy of our children.” >>>  

 

16 Federal Agencies Release Environmental Justice Reports 

In 2012, ED developed its first plan to improve environmental justice in schools, aiming to ensure that all students have equal access to safe, healthy environments, and environmental education.  ED’s work has included taking actions to help address the adverse health and environmental effects that negatively affect student achievement, especially among minority and low-income student populations who are disproportionally exposed to disadvantageous school environments. ED is also encouraging activities that use environmental education to ensure that students of all backgrounds get and stay engaged in traditionally abstract subjects, such as science, technology, engineering and math, where minorities have been historically underrepresented. >>>   

 

 

24 Agencies Release Three Year Sustainability Reports

On a daily basis, we at ED ask schools across the nation to demonstrate environmental excellence.  As the 2012 ED performance report shows, the Department is committed to demonstrating leadership in sustainability.  Over the past several years, ED has focused increased attention on its effect on the environment and has taken steps to address it.  Agency reports provide an overview of how your agencies are saving taxpayer dollars, reducing carbon emissions, cutting waste and saving energy.  This year, the Sustainability Plans for the first time outline how agencies will reduce the vulnerability of their programs, assets, and investments to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise or more frequent or severe extreme weather. >>>   

 

The Affordable Care Act for School Communities 

To help states, districts and schools ensure healthy schools and students, the Department encourages school communities to make use of exciting new provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The health-care law is helping bring more primary-care providers to our neediest school communities. The new law allows students, teachers and parents to focus on the important work of learning, rather than being distracted by the financial burdens of medical care. Youth under the age of 26 can also receive coverage under their parents’ insurance. >>>  

 

Students with Disabilities: We Must Provide Equal Opportunity in Sports 

The Department recently issued guidelines concerning districts’ obligations to provide athletic opportunities for students with disabilities. Secretary Arne Duncan wrote in a recent blog article, "Students with disabilities are no different – like their peers without disabilities, these students benefit from participating in sports. But unfortunately, we know that students with disabilities are all too often denied the chance to participate and with it, the respect that comes with inclusion. This is simply wrong..." >>>    

  

Grants for States to Improve School Health

Funds are available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement to prevent and control diabetes, heart disease, obesity and associated risk factors and promote school health. The application deadline date is April 19, 2013. More information. >>>

 

Department of Interior Releases STEM Education and Employment Pathways Strategic Plan 

The Department of Interior released a new strategy to coordinate and focus on the Agency’s contributions to STEM education in support of teachers, students and the American public. >>> 

 

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food 

Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food provides USDA resources to help scale up local and regional food systems.  The new compass allows the user to search USDA grant activity including participation in green schools programs! >>>   

 

Healthy Schools 2015 

The Coalition for Healthier Schools published its third state-by-state report on school environmental health conditions, Towards Healthy Schools 2015. >>>