NEWS RELEASE
San Diego Unified Earns Silver Level Green Ribbon Schools Award from California Department of Education
April 29, 2020
SAN DIEGO – San Diego Unified has been recognized as a statewide leader in sustainability, winning the California Department of Education’s (CDE) Silver Level Green Ribbon Schools designation. The recognition honors schools and school districts for excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. The CDE convened an interagency stakeholder group to evaluate applicants by demonstrated achievements in three key areas:
Pillar I: Reduce environmental impact and costs
Pillar II: Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff
Pillar III: Provide effective environmental education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways
“When we say San Diego Unified is committed to combating climate change and building a more sustainable future, we absolutely mean it,” said Superintendent Cindy Marten. “It isn’t just about building more sustainable facilities; we are empowering students with knowledge, so they can make lasting changes for the rest of their lives.”
San Diego Unified is one of eight districts recognized by the California Department of Education this year.
The CDE’s recognition is part of a broader effort by the US Department of Education to highlight green practices that engage students and improve academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness.
In 2013, The San Diego Unified Board of Education (BOE) established the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, leading to the District Climate Action Plan which was board-adopted in 2015.The Climate Action Plan outlines several key goals: 1. Increase energy efficiency and renewable energy to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035; 2. Increase alternative modes of transportation in student and employee commuting; 3. Transition to a cleaner, more efficient vehicle fleet; and 4. reduce waste and increase water efficiency.
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Media Contact: Samer Naji, Facilities Communications Supervisor, snaji@sandi.net.
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