Press Release: Maryland Will Be Part Of U.S. Education Department's Green Strides Tour

Visit Will Focus On School Environmental Health

For Immediate Release                                                        Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486
 
Baltimore, MD (August 6, 2014)

Maryland schools are on the itinerary for the 2014 Green Strides Best Practices Tour, announced by the U.S. Department of Education.

This year’s tour, dubbed “Healthy Schools, High Achieving Students,” begins this month.  Maryland schools are on the concluding leg of the tour, Wednesday, October 8.  Folger McKinsey Elementary in Severna Park (Anne Arundel County), Dunloggin Middle in Ellicott City (Howard County), and Francis Scott Key Middle (Montgomery County) are part of the tour.

During the tour, federal, state and local visitors will bring attention to how school facilities, health and wellness, and environmental education affect equity and achievement. In addition, the tour will highlight best practices that schools, systems, and states are using to improve the overall wellness, productivity, and achievements of students and educators through health, safety, and educational improvements.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the tour at a recent event honoring Green Ribbon School and District Sustainability Awardees. 

“Healthy, safe and sustainable facilities combined with wellness practices like outdoor physical activity, nutritious food, and hands-on environmental learning from a strong foundation for a quality education,” Secretary Duncan said, adding that Green Ribbon honorees are leading the way in incorporating best practices.

Maryland schools have been active in the Green Ribbon Program.  Maryland has had honorees selected in each of the three years that the program has been in existence.

“We look forward to hosting the U.S. Department of Education and putting a spotlight on our wonderful schools,” said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery.  “There are innovative environmental and wellness efforts taking place throughout Maryland.  Students understand the importance of these efforts as well as anyone.”

The Healthy Schools, High Achieving Students tour gets underway Aug. 18 and 19 with visits to some West Virginia schools.  The tour includes stops in Kentucky, Florida, Colorado and Minnesota before culminating in Maryland.

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