M-DCPS Celebrates Innovative Environmental Efforts at Green Schools Recognition Program Awards

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) hosted the second annual Green Schools Recognition Program Awards at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden to recognize innovative environmental efforts among the 64 elementary, middle, and high schools that participated.

“Public education is the only industry where over 3 million students graduate from our doors each year,” said M-DCPS Sustainability Officer Karly Pulido. “That means we have the greatest opportunity and the responsibility to prepare young adults to care for their surroundings and build strong, resilient communities. Green Schools gives them the experience to do just that.”

The M-DCPS Green Schools Recognition Program (GSRP) is a key District-wide initiative that promotes and celebrates schools actively taking concrete steps to protect the environment and incorporating lessons about the environment into their curriculum.
The top three schools with the most points for their overall efforts in sustainability received the Green Schools Awards Overall Winners award and received $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000 respectively. Those were: 
1st Place – Twin Lakes Elementary
2nd Place – Young Women's Preparatory Academy
3rd Place – Sylvania Heights Elementary

Environmentally themed artwork displayed at the Green Schools Program Recognition Awards.

"For the District, these awards mean that we're going to raise the bar and have students become stewards of the environment,” said Alena Sheriff, third grade teacher at first place winner Twin Lakes Elementary. “These kids are our future. We're creating a pathway for them and they’re going to take it forward,” added Sheriff, who also leads the Environmental Club, the Garden Club, and the Food Forrest, all with student input.

Seven schools were also recognized for outstanding efforts in the following categories and received a $1,000 cash prize:
•    School Grounds Advancement – Dr. Rolando Espinosa K-8 Center!”
•    School Sustainability – Palm Springs North K-8 Center
•    Health and Wellness – Kinloch Park Elementary
•    Curriculum Integration- Dorothy M. Wallace C.O.P.E. Center
•    Community Involvement – Pinecrest Elementary
•    School-Wide Culture - Banyan Elementary
•    Innovation – Coral Way K-8 Center

Students performing for guests at the Green Schools Recognition Program Awards.

District administrators, teachers and students attended the event and Master of Ceremonies Ron Magill hosted the awards ceremony intended to recognize the outstanding efforts of the 64 schools who competed, all of which received a participation award.

The success of the GSRP, particularly its ability to offer financial rewards, is made possible through the generous donations raised by the M-DCPS Foundation's Green Fund. These funds are dedicated to supporting initiatives and providing cash prizes to the top-performing schools, which can be reinvested in further campus greening projects. Key donors that have supported this program include McGraw-Hill, CDW-G, Core Construction, Florida Power & Light (FPL), and Educational Federal Credit Union, among others. 

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TOP CAPTION:  Winners display their awards at the Green Schools Recognition Program Awards at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.