Congratulations to Springdale Park Elementary School, APS’ 2012 Georgia Green Ribbon award winning school.
Springdale Park students and staff were recently recognized at the State Capitol by the GA. Lt. Governor for their environmental innovations.
Earlier this year, Springdale Park, in collaboration with the Atlanta Public Schools Facilities Department, submitted an application to the Georgia Green Ribbon Schools Awards Program. On Friday, March 9, 2012, Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle sent official notification that Springdale Park has been named a Georgia Green Ribbon School. The Georgia Green Ribbon Award is a result of a partnership between the Georgia Department of Education, the Office of the Lt. Governor, the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia, the Georgia EPD, the Clean Air Campaign, and the Turner Foundation.
This recognition is given to high performing, healthy green schools where the staff, students, officials, parents and communities have worked collaboratively to make progress in the three pillars of the green school activity. The three pillars are as follows:
- Optimal efficiency in energy, water, and waste management
- Healthy students and school environment
- Environmental Education*
The Georgia Department of Education has nominated Springdale Park to the U.S. Department of Education to compete for the coveted national distinction of being a National Green Ribbon School. The U.S. Department of Education is expected to determine the final award winning schools in April and will host a national recognition awards ceremony in Washington D.C.
In Georgia, the Turner Foundation has generously pledged $10,000 for the school or schools who are recognized with a National Green Ribbon. When multiple Georgia schools are selected for the National Green Ribbon Program, they will split the prize.
This year, four schools were selected to represent Georgia in the national contest: Arabia Mountain High School (DeKalb County Public Schools), Crabapple Elementary School (Fulton County Public Schools), Savannah Country Day School (Savannah private school), and Springdale Park Elementary School (Atlanta Public Schools).
“In these challenging times, school systems across the state are embracing innovative ideas to reduce costs and focus resources on the classrooms where students learn,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “I’m proud to launch the National Green Ribbon Schools contest to recognize Georgia schools that are implementing groundbreaking tools to reduce their energy costs. This will allow us to redirect precious financial resources towards direct instruction, create a healthier learning environment for our children, and give our students career-relevant, first-hand experience in one of our state’s emerging industries.”
“I am very pleased we have schools in Georgia that are striving to be more efficient, especially in this very difficult economic environment,” said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. “Congratulations to our first group of Georgia Green Ribbon Schools. We’re confident that at least one of these schools will bring home a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award.”
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SPRINGDALE PARK ELEMENTARY
Springdale Park Elementary School, an Atlanta public school, was certified LEED Gold. It reduced its energy costs by more than 18% by installing an onsite geothermal ground source heat pump, which both heats and cools the school. It also saves energy by using a passive solar design with daylighting, sensors, and efficient lighting fixtures. The school has implemented water-efficient practices to reduce indoor and outdoor water use; has a green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper and furniture; and is a Clean Air School. Springdale Park has two gardens and 39% of the school’s food is grown within a 200-mile radius. The environmental science standards in the Georgia Performance Standards are taught in every grade, applying the scientific method also known as the Characteristics of Science.
