^{Share or view as a webpage | Update preferences}

MI Green Schools Newsletter

September 2024

The Michigan Green Schools program supports and celebrates the achievements
of PreK-12 schools in protecting the state's air, land, water, and ecosystems,
through their commitments to environmental education and stewardship actions.

Did you know that the Michigan Green Schools program began during the fall of 2005 as an idea from students and teachers at the Hartland Consolidated School District?  What an inspiring piece of history that encourages environmental stewardship action in schools across the state!  You can learn more about the history of the program on the About page of the MI Green Schools website.

Program Updates & Announcements

2024-2025 MI Green Schools Timeline and Application Dates

The 2024-2025 online application window will be open from January 1, 2025 – March 9, 2025.  We encourage schools to start tracking their activities throughout the school year by making a copy of the Google Doc template.  Teachers can even have students help write the activity descriptions through a journal exercise!

As you plan your activities, don’t forget to reach out to your County Coordinator for pre-approval of “other green activities” by December 1, 2024!

Save the Date!  MI Green Schools Info Webinar: October 29, 4-5PM

Join us to learn how you can make a positive impact on your community.  Hear firsthand from inspiring guest speakers who will share exciting ways to get involved, project ideas, and valuable tips for making a difference.

This webinar is geared towards Michigan public and private school students, teachers, staff, and administrators interested in learning how their school can achieve environmental stewardship designation.  Local and regional community partners are also encouraged to join to hear how they can support schools in this journey.

Register for this free webinar today!

Attention Returning MI Green Schools!

Michigan Green Schools is approaching it's 20 year mark and we want to celebrate schools that are also achieving milestone years of participation! We are collecting historical data on Michigan Green School participation for the years 2006-2021.  If you know the year(s) and designation level(s) your school has achieved prior to 2021, please fill out this brief survey.

Resources

Want to do something different?

As you plan your MI Green Schools activities for the year, make sure to check out these “other green activity” ideas.  Schools across Michigan have engaged students with these activities and projects.  Just be sure to get any “other” activities pre-approved by your County Coordinator by December 1, 2024!

Grant Writing Toolkit for EPA Community Change Grants

The Center for Green Schools, The Collaborative for High Performance Schools, and The Association of School Business Officials are working together to create grant writing tools and provide direct coaching for school districts to use to apply for $10-20 million grants through the U.S. EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant program.

Applications for this grant are due on a rolling basis until November 21, 2024.

Additional Opportunities

Current Trends and Benefits of Reusable Foodware in School Cafeterias

Would you like to learn what's happening with schools and reusables across the U.S.A.?  Would you like to know how to implement a reusable foodware program at your school?

Join Connie Lilley, LEED AP, We ReUse's Green Schools Coordinator, for a 30-minute overview of Trends and Benefits of Reusable Foodware in Schools on Wednesday, October 17, at 4 p.m.  Topics covered:

• What is the healthiest foodware material for students?
• Reducing your school's carbon footprint
• Save money with reusables
• Understanding dishwashing challenges
• Funding to help schools make a switch from single-use products
• Get credit for reducing waste for your MI Green Schools application

We are a Michigan Evergreen School, now what?

Is your school or district looking for an opportunity to expand and deepen the sustainability efforts you have initiated through the Michigan Green Schools program? The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) award is a one-time recognition in the following areas of effort:

• Reduce environmental impact and costs;
• Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
• Provide effective environmental and sustainability education.

Combined progress in ALL three of these areas, known as the award Pillars, serves as the basis for recognition. Interested in learning more? Visit the Green Ribbon Schools tab on the Michigan Green Schools website for detailed program information, the annual application timeline, and to request an application.

You can apply for both the Michigan Green Schools certification and the ED-Green Ribbon Schools recognition. In fact, we strongly encourage you to do both!

Questions? Concerns?

Send an email to  EGLE-MI-Green-Schools@Michigan.gov

Visit Michigan.gov/MIGreenSchools for more information.

Follow @MichiganEGLE and the #EGLEclassroom conversation on Twitter.