U.S. Secretary of Education Names Queen Anne’s County Public Schools a 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardee
The U.S. Department of Education announced today that Queen Anne’s County Public Schools in Centreville, Maryland is among the 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardees.
Queen Anne’s County Public Schools (QACPS) was nominated by the Maryland State Department of Education. QACPS strongly believes that conservation is a shared responsibility. Their highly successful conservation programs are possible because of QACPS Superintendent’s innovative leadership and beliefs in preserving the environment. The QACPS Superintendent is a member of the Superintendents’ Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC). SEEC is a partnership between superintendents and environmental education organizations that are committed to supporting and expanding the environmental education opportunities for their students, staff, and schools. QACPS is featured on the SEEC’s website as an exemplary program. To date, all fourteen QACPS are Maryland Green School Certified. Maryland Green Schools certification process is often the vehicle used to achieve their sustainability and conservation-based goals.
QACPS sets a high standard for energy conservation and has established many goals to reduce electrical, heating, and carbon footprint. The implementation of these goals is a joint responsibility of the QACPS Board of Education, superintendent, administrators/supervisors, teachers, support personnel, and students. It is successful because of collaboration at all levels. QACPS strives to reduce energy costs, limit the adverse environmental impacts of energy consumption, increase the use of renewable energy where appropriate, harmonize energy and sustainability initiatives within the district’s operation and fiscal priorities and achieve a safe and comfortable learning environment for students and staff.
QACPS Superintendent, Dr. Patricia Saelens shared, “I commend our school district under the leadership of Mr. Michael Page, Supervisor of Instruction. This is an honor of distinction that is only earned through hard work and dedication to Green Schools efforts.”
Across the country, 26 schools, 11 districts, and four postsecondary institutions 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 18 states.
The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 41 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here.