This article was contributed by Ryan Lombardozzi, NCEA Social Media Coordinator.
Each year the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools holds an awards ceremony to honor public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, districts, and post-secondary institutions. The schools selected for this award excel in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff and providing effective sustainability education
Programs like Green Ribbon Schools are good for our students, good for our environment and good for our economy. – Bruce Andrews, U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 marked a significant day of honor for the Bishop O’Dowd High School in the Diocese of Oakland, as President Steve Phelps, Director of Sustainability Andra Yeghoian, Assistant Principal Colette Roche and Director of Counseling Fran Warmerdam arrived in Washington, D.C. to accept the 2016 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award. Of the 47 schools, 15 school districts and 11 post-secondary institutions receiving this prestigious award, O’Dowd was the only Catholic school to be recognized.
Receiving this recognition is an affirmation that we have really stepped forward as leaders in the Education for Sustainability movement, and gives us purpose for continuing to move this important work forward. – Director of Sustainability, Andra Yeghoian.
“Sustainability programs and initiatives at O’Dowd are built around a clear vision for what sustainability is, and how it connects to a Catholic identity. O’Dowd has adapted the Nested Triple Bottom Line framework to connect directly with its core values, which are rooted in charism …. Ultimately, O’Dowd’s approach to sustainability aims to equip students with the tools, resources, and life experiences to create an environmentally sustainable, socially just and economically viable world.”
How is Bishop O’Dowd High School adhering to the three Pillars of the Green Ribbon Program?
The first pillar focuses on what you’re doing as a school to reduce your environmental impact.
- Installing a total of 243 solar panels via two solar installations on campus where they produce 10% of the energy consumed.
- Conserving water by installing artificial turf as well as rainwater catching systems.
- Beginning a Green Gloves program for students to properly dispose of waste in the school.
- Creating a partnership with the Green Water Action Fund where they have been able to reduce over 3,000 pounds of waste.
The second pillar is what the school is doing to protect the health and well-being of the community.
- Bringing produce from the living lab at least once a week along with having 30 chickens that lay up to 120 eggs a week.
- Gaining recognition as a Fair Trade School (O’Dowd is only one of 16 schools nationwide at the K-12 level to receive such recognition).
- Creating a comprehensive transportation program to encourage carpooling.
The third pillar is about sustainability topics in the curriculum.
- They have implemented a new science curriculum, “Science in the Environment.”
- AP placement programs focused on education for sustainable futures.
- Certificates related to edible and wildlife gardening, animal husbandry and resource systems.
Through spreading their message of sustainability principles and priding themselves on openness to growth, their personal charism and an inclusive philosophy, O’Dowd has worked to make their students healthier in the classroom and make their community more green, more sustainable and a healthier environment to live in.
Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school administered by the Diocese of Oakland.
For more information about Bishop O’Dowd High School, please read about them in our Fall 2015 issue of Momentum here: http://bit.ly/1WLSWpX
