Missouri Green Ribbon Schools
The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools will recognize 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 recognition award is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government-wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.
As with the Blue Ribbon Schools recognition award, schools do not apply to the U.S. Department of Education but to state education departments. While the award confers no federal funds, winners of the Green Ribbon Schools may experience national and local press coverage, re-energized staff and parents, enhanced community support, increased application rates, and new private financial assistance. Winners will be invited to participate in national and local recognition ceremonies.
Missouri Application Details
Schools within the state of Missouri who would like to apply must complete and submit the application form to be selected as a state nominee. If your school is subsequently selected, you'll be asked to complete the second step of the process by providing additional information for the nominee package that will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education.
To submit your application to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, email or fax your completed form to Shaun Bates at (email) shaun.bates@dese.mo.gov or (fax) 573-526-4261 by 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 2, 2012. Missouri will then submit its nominees to the U.S. Department of Education by March 22 and winners will be announced during Earth Day Week in April (week of April 16, 2012).
For questions or additional information about Green Ribbon Schools, please contact Shaun Bates via email at shaun.bates@dese.mo.gov or phone at 573-751-4445.