Press Release: Two Maryland Schools Nominated For National Green Ribbon Honor

Applications for Program's Third Year Sent To Federal Officials

For Immediate Release                                                      Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486


Baltimore, MD (March 27, 2014)

The Maryland State Department of Education today nominated two schools for the U.S. Department of Education’s 2014 Green Ribbon Schools (GRS) Award.

State education agencies in 39 states, in collaboration with the U.S Department of Education, are participating in the third year of the GRS award program. Four Maryland schools were honored with the award during the inaugural year of 2012 and two schools and one school district were honored in 2013.

The two schools nominated are: Travilah Elementary School (Montgomery County Public Schools) and North Carroll High School (Carroll County Public Schools).  All applications for the award were evaluated by a committee comprised of staff from State and national government agencies, State and regional environmental organizations, and private businesses.

"Environmental education is one of the most effective ways to empower young people to care for and save our planet," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "By making the better choice to invest in forward-thinking environmental education programs, we'll equip our students with the knowledge necessary to become better environmental stewards for our world and fashion a stronger, more sustainable future for generations to come."

Federal officials will recognize schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. The recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

“Maryland schools continue to be at the national forefront in their commitment to environmental education and to practices that will strengthen our world for generations that follow,” said State Superintendent Lillian M. Lowery.  “These nominees represent the great work taking place in classrooms and schools throughout our State.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is scheduled to announce the recipients of the GRS awards on Earth Day, April 22.

# # #