E.P.A. Regional Administrator Joins Delaware Officials to Honor State’s Green Ribbon Schools

PHILADELPHIA (April 29, 2015) Today, E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined Delaware Senator Harris McDowell, Delaware Department of Education Secretary Mark Murphy, and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary David Small in Wilmington to honor 3 Delaware schools for their leadership and commitment to improving the environment and peoples' health.

At an awards ceremony today at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in Wilmington, state and federal officials praised school administrators, faculty and students at Mt. Pleasant Elementary, Linden Hill Elementary School in Wilmington, and Kirk Middle School in Newark for receiving the U.S. Department of Education 2015 Green Ribbon Schools Award.

"The outstanding work of today's honorees demonstrates that enacting sustainable programs can lead to not only environmental awareness, but efficient operations as well," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "These schools not only look for ways to use less water and buy green products, but also seek to integrate environmental education into every aspect of their curriculum."

Fifty-eight schools, 14 districts, and 9 postsecondary institutions across the country were recognized for their promising efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways. 9 colleges and universities were also recognized with the Postsecondary Sustainability Award, in the 1st year of that award category.

School environments play an important role in the health and academic success of children. Collaborative efforts by EPA, U.S. Department of Education, and other partners to 'green' schools are critical to creating school environments that are protective of children's health while also helping maximize students' performance.

For more information about creating healthy school environments http://www.epa.gov/schools/index.html

More information on Green Ribbon Schools http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.

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