Los Cerritos Earns U.S. Green Ribbon
Los Cerritos Elementary School has won the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon School Award recognizing exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and provide effective environmental education.
Managing Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Christy Goldfuss joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in announcing the 2015 honorees last week in Washington, D.C. Los Cerritos was nominated by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
"We're so pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has chosen our school as a national Green Ribbon School,” said Los Cerritos Principal Marie Hatwan. “This award represents a lot of hard work by our students, parents and staff. Our students are learning valuable lessons about reducing waste and helping to create a greener and healthier world."
An Urban Farmyard at Los Cerritos has been cited by the California School Gardens Network as a model school garden and is a designated Wildlife Habitat and Monarch Butterfly Way Station. The garden is complemented by after school programs focused on environmental awareness, including Cool the Earth, Roots & Shoots, and Green Team. A comprehensive Safe Routes to School program includes Walk-to-School Wednesday, Walking School Bus and Bike-Friendly Fridays.
Hughes, Longfellow, Lowell and Twain schools have earned Green Ribbon honors in prior years.
A ceremony to celebrate the honorees is scheduled for June 3 in Washington, D.C.