News Release
| For Immediate Release: | May 17, 2018 |
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| Contact: | Charles B. Pyle, Director of Communications, 804-371-2420 Julie C. Grimes, Communications Manager, 804-225-2543 |
Lanier Middle and Henry County Earn Federal Green Ribbon School Awards
A Fairfax County middle school and a Southwest Virginia school division were honored by the U.S. Department of Education this week as national 2018 Green Ribbon School award winners. The federal Green Ribbon School program recognizes energy-efficient and environmentally friendly schools and districts that promote environmental awareness, community engagement and student wellness.
The winning school and division — with highlights from their award applications — are as follows:
- Lanier Middle (Fairfax County) — Efficiencies such as automatic shut-off water fixtures, motion-sensor lighting and tinted windows resulted in Lanier Middle earning Energy Star certification in 2015. In addition, the school converted a barren, unused courtyard into a National Wildlife Federation-certified wildlife habitat.
- Henry County Public Schools — A division-wide program of conservation, monitoring and public engagement initially launched in 2009 resulted in substantial savings and annual Energy Star certification for all of the division’s 14 schools. Solar panels at one of Henry County’s middle schools and heat-retaining roofing material further reduced the division’s carbon footprint.
“Green Ribbon School awards recognize multiyear efforts involving administrators, teachers, students and whole communities,” Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven M. Constantino said. “In addition to the economies and the benefits to the environment, students gain real-life experiences in fields for potential careers, including sustainability, conservation, environmental services and technology.”
The Green Ribbon awards will be presented on September 19 during a ceremony in Washington.
Lanier Middle and Henry County were nominated by the Virginia Department of Education. The commonwealth is one of 26 states to participate in the 2018 Green Ribbon School program. More information about the 2018 Green Ribbon School award winners is available online from the U.S. Department of Education
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