Travilah Elementary School Named a National Green Ribbon School

April 22, 2014

Travilah Elementary School has been selected as a recipient of the 2014 U.S. Green Ribbon Schools Award. The North Potomac school is among a total of 48 winning schools from across the nation.

The Green Ribbon Schools Award program, established in 2011, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement.

“This award is a reflection of our district’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all MCPS schools and facilities are environmentally friendly and foster healthy and productive learning environments,” said Superintendent Joshua P. Starr. “Congratulations to the staff and students of Travilah Elementary School on receiving this award.”

Travilah Elementary School has an active School Energy and Recycling Team (SERT) Program that works to reduce the school’s energy consumption and increase recycling. They have a robust Environmental Literacy Program that engages students at all grade levels. There are six organic gardens on the property that are used to teach students about plant growth, rocks, minerals and the ecosystem. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has a comprehensive district-wide program to reduce the environmental footprint of its facilities, including recycling initiatives, energy conservation efforts and a commitment to green construction practices.

The 48 U.S. Green Ribbon Schools were selected from among nearly 100 nominees submitted by 30 state education agencies and the District of Columbia.

Last year, Cedar Grove and Summit Hall elementary schools were two of only 64 schools nationwide to be recognized by the USDE as a Green Ribbon School. MCPS also was selected as the recipient of the District Sustainability Award, which recognizes school systems that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to sustainability. MCPS was one of 14 honorees, nationwide.

Representatives from the winning schools will participate in a national awards ceremony in July. The Maryland recipients will also be recognized during the Maryland Green Schools Youth Summit sponsored by the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education on May 30, 2014, at Sandy State Park in Anne Arundel County.

Read the U.S. Department of Education Release

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