NMPED News:
SANTA FE — The U.S. Department of Education has released the names of the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS), District Sustainability Awardees and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees.
New Mexico schools and districts honored:
- Polk Middle School in Albuquerque Public Schools – 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School; and
- Cuba Independent School District – 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardee.
“Congratulations to the students, faculty and staff of Polk Middle School and Cuba Independent School District,” Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero said. “Your dedication to sustainability not only sets a commendable example for your peers, but also paves the way for a brighter, greener future for generations to come.”
ED-GRS recognizes early learning centers, schools and districts taking a comprehensive approach to sustainability. ED-GRS awards are granted to those who show incorporation of environmental learning with improving environmental and health impacts.
Polk Middle School, Cuba Independent School District and Aldo Leopold Charter School were nominated by the New Mexico Public Education Department for this one-time award.
Polk Middle School is a dual-language school and a champion for environmental and agricultural education that honors their students’ culture and heritage. A large school farm works to provide fresh produce to students and families experiencing food insecurity. The school farm is used for cross-curricular learning projects as well as a meeting space for school and community events. Polk conducts energy audits and utilizes acequia rights to water their school grounds with drought-tolerant spaces. All school garden plots are ADA accessible.
One of Polk’s grow beds is dedicated as Elijah’s Bed, in honor of a staff member’s son who was killed in an act of gun violence. Elijah’s Bed grows perennial flowers from which students harvest seeds every year and make seed packets to give to other families who have experienced a loss due to gun violence.
Cuba Independent School District has been integrating outdoor and environmental learning for many years. Their work in the community includes healthy walking paths, paths that connect from the classrooms to the wilderness, gardens and a greenhouse. The district has implemented in-house food growing operations in order to reduce their carbon footprint and save on shipping and operational costs.
They have also initiated waste reduction programs, such as repurposing and composting, resulting in a significant reduction in landfill waste and lower disposal expenses. Cuba Independent School District provides a robust education curriculum that integrates environmental topics across multiple subjects, empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed to be responsible stewards of the planet.
Honored schools and districts were required to show progress in each of the following Pillars and all of their corresponding elements:
- Pillar I: Reducing environmental impact and costs
- Pillar II: Improving the health and wellness of students and staff
- Pillar III: Offering effective environmental and sustainability education
Across the country, 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions and one early learning center are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 24 states.
Consult the list of all selected schools, districts, colleges and universities, as well as their nomination packages.
Read a report with highlights on the honorees.
Learn more about the federal recognition award.
