Four Pennsylvania Schools Nominated for National Green Ribbon Award

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis today nominated four Pennsylvania schools to compete for the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools award.

The Green Ribbon Schools program recognizes 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 department received many qualified applications, which made it a very competitive selection process," Tomalis said, noting that 47 public and private schools across Pennsylvania submitted applications. "This is a testament of how school officials and students are making meaningful changes to reduce energy consumption, which ultimately reduces operating costs."

The four schools nominated are:

• A.W. Beattie Career Center, Allegheny County
• Radnor Middle School in Radnor Township School District, Delaware County
• Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in Chambersburg Area School District, Franklin County
• Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania joined 32 other states and the District of Columbia in the Green Ribbon Schools pilot program this year. Among participating states, Pennsylvania had the highest number of schools to submit applications.

The U.S. Department of Education is expected to announce the award-winning schools on April 23 and a presentation ceremony is scheduled for June 5.

In addition to being nominated as a Green Ribbon School, these four schools have been named 2012 Pennsylvania Pathways Schools and will receive a $3,000 award to further their work on achieving the goals set forth in the Green Ribbon Schools pillars:

• Reduced environmental impact and working towards net-zero impact;
• Positive impact on the health and performance of students and staff; and
• Graduates are environmentally and sustainability literate.

"These schools are to be applauded for thinking innovatively and working to reduce costs," Tomalis said. "I encourage all schools across Pennsylvania to incorporate energy savings plans into their operations."

For additional information about Pennsylvania Pathways Schools, visit www.pathwaystogreenschools.org.

Media contact: Tim Eller, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education