The 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Are Here!

On April 22, the U.S. Department of Education announced the names of the 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees, and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees in a video message from the Secretary.  Across the country, 27 schools, three early learning centers, five districts, and five postsecondary institutions are honored for their innovative efforts to address the three “Pillars” of the program: reducing environmental impact and utility costs, improving health and wellness, and ensuring effective sustainability education.

The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 20 states. The selectees include 24 public schools – among them, five charter schools and one magnet school – as well as three nonpublic schools. Over half of the 2021 honorees are in communities where over 40 percent of the student body is eligible for free and reduced lunch.  

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a public engagement initiative structured as a federal recognition award for school sustainability. This initiative helps to facilitate state and local collaboration regarding school facilities, health, and environmental education. By highlighting schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions’ cost-saving, health promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices, ED-GRS celebrates these schools and brings more attention to their work. 

President's American Jobs Plan Would Modernize Schools for Efficiency, Resiliency, and Health

The proposed American Jobs Plan would help to ensure schools are safe and healthy places of learning for kids and work for education professionals, for example by improving indoor air quality and ventilation. Funds are also proposed to invest in energy-efficient, resilient, and innovative school buildings with technology and labs that will help educators prepare students to be productive workers. Under the President’s plan, better operating school facilities will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and also will become environments of community resilience with green space, clean air, and safe places to gather, especially during emergencies. Funds also will be provided to improve school kitchens to better prepare nutritious meals for our students and reduce the use of single-use packaging and utensils. 

How Schools Can Use the American Rescue Plan to Ensure Healthy, Efficient, Equitable Facilities

In addition to this American Jobs proposal, the President  already signed into law the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, providing additional relief to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ARP provides $122 billion for new Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund awards to state education agencies (SEAs), which must allocate 90% of their funding to local education agencies. 

Two-thirds of the ESSER Fund allocations were made available to SEAs in March, so that they might immediately fund health and safety measures consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, including by investing in resources to improve indoor air quality and reduce risk of exposure to environmental health hazards. The remaining third will become available after submission of a state application to ED with a plan that addresses requirements of the ARP ESSER Fund. State consultation with and input from stakeholders and the public is expected be an essential component of the process. 

Spotlight on Two Resources to Guide Spending for School Facilities

The one-time nature of the ARP funds makes them an ideal fit for durable school infrastructure investments that will have an impact for years to come. Consult the new publication Five Guiding Principles: How Schools Can Use American Rescue Plan Funding to Ensure Healthy, Resilient Facilities for Students and Reduce Energy Costs and Emissions, providing actionable information for school districts as they consider how to use these relief funds to meet local needs. The resource identifies examples of school facility improvements as well as curriculum and training that both align with allowed uses and provide long-term benefits.  Also see the National Council on School Facilities' recommendations for states and districts as to how to approach this funding with a view toward improving school facilities and grounds.

Apply To Your State For ED-GRS In 2021

For those schools that have not already received the ED-GRS award, now is a great time to begin preparing for the 2021-2022 application cycle by using the resources and programs on Green Strides and by contacting your state education authority. Review Frequently Asked Questions for all three award categories. Interested colleges and universities may contact their state higher education authorities, while schools and districts may contact state education agencies. State education authorities can find award implementation guidance on ED's website and may contact U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools for more information.  

Connect to the Green Strides Webinar Series This Spring

The Green Strides Webinar Series has promoted over 2,100 sessions that provide free tools to reduce schools’ environmental impact and costs, improve health and wellness, and teach effective environmental education. Consult the webinar calendar, and submit suggestions for listing additional free, publicly available webinars related to school, district, and postsecondary sustainability to ed.green.ribbon.schools@ed.gov.  (Note: All times listed are ET.)

May Is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Asthma affects approximately 25.9 million Americans, and more than 50 million Americans suffer from at least one type of allergy. AAFA offers tools to bring healthy messages to work, school, and home. 

Endangered Species Day Is May 21

Every year on the third Friday in May, thousands of people around the world participate in Endangered Species Day by celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species. Wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, gardens, schools, libraries, museums, community groups, nonprofits, and individuals hold special programs or events for people of all ages. The programs organized for Endangered Species Day 2021 will primarily be online events, digital actions, and remote activities. 

U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit Is May 17-21 

The U.S. Department of Energy's next Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit will take place May 17-20, 2021. This virtual, no-cost event will feature engaging and interactive sessions, as well as opportunities for attendees to network with their fellow industry peers and experts. View the agenda and register.

Summer Institute for Climate Change Education Is July 28-30

Join a network of teachers from across the country for a three-day virtual conference to learn new tools, skills, and resources to teach climate change in any subject area! Climate Generation’s 16th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education will be hosted in partnership with The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Climate Office. Register and learn more about scholarship and cohort leader opportunities.