The LISD Center for a Sustainable Future
Acting Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Mike Boots, joined U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to announce that the LISD Center for a Sustainable Future, in Adrian, Michigan, is among the 2014 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees.
The LISD Center for a Sustainable Future (CSF) was nominated by the Michigan Department of Education for meeting the following Pillar accomplishments:
Pillar 1: Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs The entire building was designed and built to minimize its energy costs and environmental impact. This was accomplished so well that the site has earned LEED Platinum certification – the highest award for a green building. Solar power provides renewable energy for the well-insulated school that also has energy efficient and water conserving fixtures.
Pillar 2: Improved Health and Wellness The LISD uses Green Seal Certified cleaning products and practices integrated pest management that is Green Shield Certified in order to eliminate or reduce student exposure to harmful chemicals. The use of windows and solar tubes to deliver natural daylight to the interior of the building creates a pleasing and comfortable learning environment for all.
Pillar 3: Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education Three programs are currently taught at the CSF: Agri-Tech, Ornamental Horticulture, and Natural Sciences (an after school/evening course). These programs all teach sustainable concepts as they relate to the curriculum. Beginning this fall, a class dedicated to sustainable principles, Sustainable Agriculture & Environmental Science, will be offered. The class will teach college level environmental studies combined with organic farming. The focus will be problem-solving food security and environmental issues through hands-on experience in the field and the garden. Previous farming experience is not necessary.
Shelley Jusick, LISD TECH Center Principal commented, “It is an honor to be recognized by both the Michigan Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. Our LISD Center for a Sustainable Future, Michigan’s first net zero K-12 school building with Leed Platinum certification, provides a unique learning opportunity for students and community members in Lenawee County!”
Nationally, Forty-eight schools were honored for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways. “This is a testament to the LISD Board of Education’s vision of providing cutting edge and relevant educational opportunities to students of Lenawee County and their commitment to challenging student’s thinking, comparing current practices to emerging technologies” said LISD Superintendent, Jim Philp.
Nine additional districts were honored for the District Sustainability Award. Duncan and Boots made the announcement at the U.S. Department of Education, in Washington, DC. Secretary Duncan also announced a new post-secondary nomination category will be added to the school and district awards for the coming year.
The schools were confirmed from a pool of candidates voluntarily nominated by 30 state education agencies. The list of selectees includes 39 public schools and nine private schools. The public schools include ten early learning programs, three charter, one magnet and three career and technical schools. The schools serve various grade levels, including 29 elementary, 16 middle and 18 high schools are among them, with several schools having various K-12 configurations, from 27 states. Twenty-one of the 2014 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body and 18 are rural. The list of all selected schools and districts, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 57 honorees can be found here.
The Department is looking forward to a fourth year of award, with a post-secondary category, and will be posting updated competition criteria shortly to reflect this addition. State education agencies are encouraged to indicate intent to nominate schools in 2015 by August 1, 2014.
More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars in which the 2014 honorees are exemplary can be found here.