Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin believes every school can be a green and healthy school. Led by the Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin movement connects, catalyzes, and celebrates schools across the state. All PK-12 public, tribal, and private schools in the state are invited to submit a new survey by October 31 to receive recognition.
Green & Healthy Schools recognizes schools at four levels — Sprout, Seedling, Sapling, or Sugar Maple — based on a comprehensive approach to reducing environmental impacts and costs, improving health and wellness, and increasing environmental literacy. Schools that achieve the “Sugar Maple” level are also eligible for nomination to U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. To date, 33 schools, districts, and early learning centers have received this national award.
In addition to recognition, when schools complete their survey, they are added to a map of the Green & Healthy Schools movement in Wisconsin, receive feedback on accomplishments and get ideas for next steps, are connected to a network of support, and receive timely information regarding funding and events to reach their sustainability goals.
To get started, schools should first request an account. The survey will collect information related to reducing environmental impacts and costs, improving health and wellness, and increasing environmental literacy. Schools can make a copy of the survey questions and share the Google Document with colleagues to help gather information needed to submit the survey. Once an account is set up and survey responses have been prepared, log in to the Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin website and submit the survey before October 31. Schools will receive recognition as a Green & Healthy School before the end of 2021 and may even be invited to submit additional information for nomination to U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.
All schools are encouraged to complete the survey by October 31. The user’s browser will automatically save survey responses as it is completed so it can be completed in multiple sessions if needed.
School survey responses will be merged with data provided from partners across the state to help map a complete picture of the Green & Healthy Schools movement. Schools will be asked to submit the annual survey each fall to report on prior year activities.
For more information about Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin or to request an account, visit the website at www.ghswisconsin.org.
For more information about U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, visit www.dpi.wi.gov/environmental-ed/green-ribbon-schools or email Victoria Rydberg at victoria.rydberg@dpi.wi.gov.
Subscriber submission: Victoria Rydberg, Wisconsin DPI Environmental Education Consultant