Students Show U.S. Dept. of Education Officials Their Green Best Practices

Grand View Elementary School was one of two area schools on the U.S. Department of Education's "Education Built To Last Facilities Best Practices Tour" Monday. The Manhattan Beach public school was selected for being among those "that exhibit best practices in school building and grounds design, construction, operations and management to support health, equity, educational outcomes, energy efficiency and cost savings in our nation’s public schools," according to a press release.

Grand View is one of 16 green ribbon award-winning schools in California, Oregon and Washington senior Education Department officials are visiting to see and discuss ways that school facilities can enhance the conditions of learning. 

Officials also toured the Environmental Charter High School in Lawndale and Journey School in Aliso Viejo on Monday. Longfellow Elementary School and Charles Evans Hughes Middle School, both in Long Beach, will be visited Tuesday.

Monday's visit to Grand View included tours of school buildings and grounds, conversations with students and teachers regarding environmental education, health and sustainability, and discussions with key partners and energy management personnel. 

At Grand View, students, educators and community members presented information on trash-free lunches, the recycling hallway, school garden, in-class composting, gardening with native plants, the Rent A Costume program, the Walking School Bus, Growing Great and Grades of Green. District Superintendent Mike Matthews talked about utility savings in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.    

The "Education Built to Last Facilities Best Practices Tour" began in mid-July and will end on Sept. 25. The nationwide tour has taken senior Education Department officials to rural Alabama, the New England area, New York and New Jersey, southeastern Wisconsin and California. Washington, D.C. is the last stop of the tour.

The ED-Green Ribbon Schools and District Sustainability Awardees are recognized for reducing their environmental impact, including energy use, waste and water; creating healthy learning environments and fostering wellness practices; and providing effective environmental education that prepares students to succeed in the 21st century, including STEM, green careers and civics, according to a press release.  

A report with highlights on the 78 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here.