Three lucky schools are working out a plan to use the big bucks they received for their “green” efforts on campus. The Green Schools Recognition Program is designed to create cultures of sustainability in our schools. The program launched in August 2014 and includes aspects that are important to OCPS such as: Energy Conservation,Transportation, Waste and Water Reduction, Health & Well-Being, School Grounds & Community Connections, and Innovation. In addition to “educational gains”, green schools benefit from; Savings on Operating Costs, Community Involvement and Partnerships, Lifelong Sustainability Habits, Creating students prepared for Environmental Challenges,The opportunity to apply learning with real-world scenarios.
The top three winners of the 5rd Annual Green Schools Recognition Program are;
1st place - $5,000 – Millennia Gardens Elementary
2nd place - $3,000 – Wedgefield K8
3rd place - $1,000 - Dommerich Elementary
*All money awarded is from the Energy Rebate Program in which the district participates.
Judges Choice Award winners received $750 each;
- Energy Efficiency sponsored by YGRENE – Millennia Gardens Elementary
- Habitat & Connections to Nature sponsored by Sea World Theme Parks – Millennia Garden Elementary
- Innovation sponsored by Universal Orlando – Wedgefield K8
- Water Conservation sponsored by OUC – Millennia Gardens Elementary
- Nutrition sponsored by Whole Foods – Eagle Creek Elementary
The following Energy Incentive Award was awarded to schools that achieved energy reductions during the program period. They are; Dommerich, Eagle Creek, Tildenville, Millennia Gardens elementary schools and Lockhart Middle. The Water Incentive Award went to; Tildenville, Eagle Creek and Catalina elementary schools.
Additional school also received incentive awards and they include;
- Great Start schools; Blanker K8, Millennia ES, Riverdale ES
- School of Promise; Catalina ES
- School of Quality; Deerwood ES, Eagle Creek ES, Lockhart MS, Meadow Woods ES
- School of Excellence; Dommerich ES, Tildenville ES, Millennia Gardens ES, Wedgefield K8
Additional community partner for the program include; EcoPreserve, City of Orlando, Orange County Environmental Protection Division, Keep Orlando Beautiful Foundation, Orlando Health and Waste Management, Inc.