GaDOE Announces National Green Ribbon Schools Recognition 
Monday, March 12, 2012 RECOGNITION CEREMONY: 
10:15 AM Lt. Governor and Georgia Senate to recognize winners 12:15 PM Press conference in North Wing of Capitol with Lt. Governor, Atlanta Falcon's Ovie Mughelli, and Captain Planet's Laura Turner Seydel 
MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org or Keisha Ford-Jenrette, kford@gadoe.org (404) 657-2949 
March 12, 2012  Through a partnership involving the Georgia Department of Education, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia, Georgia EPD, The Clean Air Campaign, and the Turner Foundation, Georgia schools were able to compete for the newly launched U.S. Department of Education's National Green Ribbon Schools program. 
In Georgia, the Turner Foundation has generously pledged $10,000 for the school or schools who are recognized with a National Green Ribbon. If multiple Georgia schools are selected for the National Green Ribbon Program, they will split the prize. 
The program seeks to showcase schools across the nation where staff, students, officials, and communities have worked together to produce progress in three pillars of green school activity: 1) optimal efficiency in energy, water, and waste management; 2) healthy students and school environment; and 3) environmental education. 
The collective efforts and achievements of these schools have elevated Georgia to lead the Southeast in high performing, healthy green schools. 
This year, four schools were selected to represent Georgia in the national contest: Arabia Mountain High School (DeKalb County Public Schools), Crabapple Elementary School (Fulton County Public Schools), Savannah Country Day School (Savannah private school), and Springdale Park Elementary School (Atlanta Public Schools). 
"In these challenging times, school systems across the state are embracing innovative ideas to 
 
 reduce costs and focus resources on the classrooms where students learn," said Lt. Governor Cagle. "I'm proud to launch the National Green Ribbon Schools contest to recognize Georgia schools that are implementing groundbreaking tools to reduce their energy costs. This will allow us to redirect precious financial resources towards direct instruction, create a healthier learning environment for our children, and give our students career-relevant, first-hand experience in one of our state's emerging industries." 
"I am very pleased we have schools in Georgia that are striving to be more efficient, especially in this very difficult economic environment," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. "Congratulations to our first group of Georgia Green Ribbon Schools. We're confident that at least one of these schools will bring home a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award." 
The winning Georgia schools will receive a commendation from the Lt. Governor on the floor of the Senate at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, March 12th followed by a press conference beginning at 12:15 p.m. in the North Wing of the State Capitol Building. The press conference will feature brief remarks by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Georgia Department of Education's Lynn Jackson, the Atlanta Falcon's Ovie Mughelli, and Captain Planet's Laura Turner Seydel. 
Each of the selected Georgia schools submitted an application showing that they have made considerable progress toward the three qualifying pillars established in the program. They will now be officially nominated to the U.S. Department of Education to compete for the coveted national distinction of being an inaugural Green Ribbon School. 
The U.S. Department of Education expects to make decisions on final awards in April during Earth Day Week and will host a national recognition award ceremony in Washington D.C. this summer. 
For questions about the recognition ceremony, please contact Leesa Carter at USGBC-Georgia lcarter@usgbcga.org or (404) 431-5213. 
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ARABIA MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL Arabia Mountain High School, a Dekalb County public school, was the first LEED Certified public school in Georgia. Each year, they purchase 60% renewable energy and divert over 72 tons of material through a robust recycling program. The school has implemented water efficient practies to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use, has a green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper and furniture, and are a Clean Air School. Arabia Mountain has implemented Environmental Integrated Curriculum and currently has 100% of their students testing proficient on the Science Section of the Georgia High School Graduation Test. 
CRABAPPLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crabapple Elementary School, a Fulton County public school, has been tracking energy consumption through Energy Star Portfolio Manager since 2007 and are currently an Energy Star Certified School. The school has implemented outdoor water efficiency strategies to lower their use of irrigation. Last year, they diverted over 32 tons of material through a robust recycling program and are a Clean Air School. Every grade has a science lab in the outdoor habitat to give the students hands-on learning. Crabapple Elementary is a member of the Evergreen School Program. 
 
 SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Savannah Country Day School, a private school in Savannah, was certified LEED Silver in 2009. The school saves energy by using a passive solar design with daylighting and efficient lighting fixtures. They have implemented water-efficient practices to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use and have a green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper and furniture. More than 75% of their students walk, bike, bus or carpool, and 35% of the food used at school is grown within a 200-mile radius. The school has nine outdoor classrooms and several onsite school gardens. 
SPRINGDALE PARK ELEMENTARY Springdale Park Elementary School, an Atlanta public school, was certified LEED Gold and reduced its energy costs by over 18% through an onsite geothermal ground source heat pump which both heats and cools the school. The school further saves energy by using a passive solar design with daylighting, sensors, and efficient lighting fixtures. They have implemented water efficient practices to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use, have a green procurement process for cleaning supplies, paper and furniture, and are a Clean Air School. They have two onsite school gardens and 39% of the food used in the school is grown within a 200-mile radius. In every grade, the environmental science standards listed in the Georgia Performance Standards are taught, applying the scientific method also known as the Characteristics of Science.