Wahpeton Indian Boarding School Selected for Green Ribbon Award

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – The Circle of Nations-Wahpeton Indian Boarding School from Wahpeton, North Dakota has been selected to receive the US Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools award.

“I am happy that our BIE School is being recognized for meeting the challenging standards of the Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools pilot program,”

said Keith Moore, director of the Bureau of Indian Education.

“Being selected as one of the Green Ribbon Schools is a tremendous achievement in a national pool of applicants and allows BIE schools to take pride in our efforts to create healthy learning environments.”

The Green Ribbon Schools program was recently launched by the Department of Education to recognize schools that save energy and reduce operating costs, create environmentally friendly learning spaces, promote student health, and provide environmental education to incorporate sustainability into their curricula. The recognition award is part of a larger the Department of Education and BIE effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness, as well as a government wide aim to increase energy independence and economic security.

According to the Department of Education guidance, Green Ribbon Schools receiving the national award will have achieved or made considerable progress toward the three pillars established in the program: 1) energy efficient buildings; 2) healthy students and school environments; and 3) environmental literacy of all graduates. The combined achievement in these three areas will be the basis for the Green Ribbon Schools award. All schools must meet high college- and career-ready standards, be in compliance with federal civil rights laws, and all federal, state and local health and safety standards and regulations.

The bureau has posted additional information on their website, including the BIE Green Ribbon Schools application, training opportunities, and program timeline. For more information about the bureau's participation in the program visit Green Ribbon Schools

As part of this effort to promote a comprehensive approach to creating a healthier school environment in all BIE-funded schools, the bureau committed to the Let's Move! in Indian Country initiative in 2010 and encouraged all BIE-funded schools to sign up to become Team Nutrition Schools. The Let's Move! in Indian Country website includes information about resources, grants and programs available to assist schools in becoming healthier places of learning.

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posted May 1, 2012 6:57 am edt