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Green Ribbon Schools Award

2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award

green ribbonOn Wednesday, June 3, 2015, Cambridge Public Schools received the 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award in Washington, D.C., presented by U.S. Secretary of State Arne Duncan and Managing Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Christy Goldfuss.

In attendance to receive the award on behalf of Cambridge Public Schools were Mellissa Honeywood, CPS Director of Food Services; Kristen von Hoffmann, CPS Sustainability Manager; and Meryl Brott, DPW Recycling Program Manager.

In a ceremony that honored 58 schools, 14 school districts, and 9 colleges and universities nationwide, recipients were celebrated for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways. Candidates for the award were voluntarily nominated by 30 state education agencies, with honorees selected from 28 jurisdictions. Recipients were encouraged by the White House to continue the good work by reaching out to other schools in the future, to share knowledge gained from their own successful programs.

After the ceremony, recipients had an opportunity to network and exchange success stories and strategies with other award winners, and to meet with legislators on Capitol Hill. A report with highlights on the 81 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here.

Kristen von Hoffmann, Sustainability Manager for Cambridge Public Schools stated, “We are honored to receive the 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools District Sustainability Award on behalf of Cambridge Public Schools. Environmental sustainability is a critical component of our future as a city, nation, and planet, and we are excited to have the opportunity to weave such teaching, programs, and practices into our school community in Cambridge. We are also grateful to the many partnerships throughout the City that enable us to do so much in the school department.” Ms.von Hoffmann also thanked the Cambridge School Committee and Superintendent Jeff Young for their leadership on sustainable practices.

Learn more about CPS's Green Schools Initiative here. For more information about Cambridge Public Schools, please contact Chief Operating Officer Jim Maloney at 617.349.6494.

In photo from left to right, receiving award: Mellissa Honeywood, CPS Director of Food Services; Kristen von Hoffmann, CPS Sustainability Manager; Meryl Brott, DPW Recycling Program Manager.