Melissa Bailey File Photo
Barnard students recycle breakfast waste.
Two city schools won green ribbons from the White House on Earth Day for their environmental efforts.
Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet School, a K‑8 district school, and Common Ground High School, an environmental-themed not-for-profit charter school, were two of 64 schools across the country named Monday by the U.S. Department of Education as official 2013 “green ribbon schools.”
Both schools were nominated by the state of Connecticut.
“Today’s honorees are modeling a comprehensive approach to being green,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated in a press release. “They are demonstrating ways schools can simultaneously cut costs; improve health, performance and equity; and provide an education geared toward the jobs of the future.”
Barnard was honored for its courtyard garden, rooftop solar panels, and schoolwide initiatives such as recycling breakfast waste.
“Barnard has been constantly improving and evolving throughout the years,” said Barnard Principal Mike Crocco in a press release. The school “make[s] it our mission to educate student, staff and the community about the importance of lowering ones carbon footprint and living a more sustainable life.”
Melissa Bailey File Photo
Common Ground students Joshua Cintron and Nelson Ruiz on a pedal-powered smoothie-maker.
Common Ground was recognized for, among other efforts, running a 20-acre urban garden producing 7,000 pounds of food; animal husbandry programs; and onsite student-led “rainwater recapture, school lighting improvements, recycling and composting” efforts. Student-led projects have included a pedal-powered smoothie business and a fresh food rescue mission.
Common Ground’s recognition comes as it prepares to start construction this summer on “a model green school building” that will aim for LEED Platinum certification. The new building will include a solar array that will supply about 70 percent of the school’s electrical needs, and “a geothermal system will meet all heating and cooling needs,” according to a press release.
“Common Ground is so proud to be a leader in the national green schools movement, growing the next generation of successful college students and powerful environmental leaders,” said Common Ground director Liz Cox.
Props to Common Ground and Barnard! These two cutting edge schools are on the cusp of true transformation of the education system in our city/state/country. Sustainability achieved through STEM education will be the driving forces of our economy in years to come. Teach the children!