Flint Hill Elementary School Awarded Eco-Schools USA Green Flag for Exceptional Green Achievement
Vienna, VA (June 10, 2014) – Flint Hill Elementary School was recognized with the Green Flag by National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program for conserving natural resources and integrating environmental education into the curriculum. Flint Hill Elementary is the 26th school in the country, to achieve “Green Flag” status.
“We at National Wildlife Federation and Eco-Schools USA are proud of the example set by Flint Hill Elementary for Fairfax County, Virginia, other schools, and the country at large,” said Laura Hickey, senior director of Eco-Schools USA. “This award demonstrates not only a commitment to sustainability and environmental literacy for students and faculty, but an appreciation that the best, most effective education transcends the classroom and offers a hands-on approach to learning.”
To be awarded the Green Flag, Flint Hill’s students and faculty tackled a host of sustainability initiatives that began with forming an Eco-Action team; auditing facility energy efficiency, waste disposal and other environmental impact areas; and instituting environmental-themed curricula. These steps led to a number of projects including piloting a county-wide Biodiversity program, completion of the Cool School Challenge designed to reduce energy usage as well as carbon footprint, and implementing a recycling and composting program that starts with Kindergartners and continues through all grades, and ensuring that students and teachers spend learning time outdoors, all designed to raise environmental and natural awareness, cut waste, increase student engagement and save money for the school.
National Wildlife Federation was named the US host for the international Eco-Schools program in 2008. The original Eco-Schools (http://www.eco-schools.org/) program is an international network of 50,000 K-12 schools in 60 countries, with 18 million students and 900,000 educators, started in 1994 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) with support by the European Commission. It was named by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) as a model initiative for Education for Sustainable Development in 2003. To learn more about Eco-Schools USA, visit: http://www.nwf.org/eco-schools-usa.aspx.
Green Flag Event Details:
Approximately 575 students, 65 faculty, along with invited guests including FCPS Superintendent Garza, Assistant Superintendent James Kacur, and representatives from the National Wildlife Federation will be at the Green Flag event on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m at Flint Hill Elementary School, 244 Flint Hill Road, Vienna, VA 22181.
About Eco-Schools USA:
Eco-Schools USA is a holistic program. It strives to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and culture of a school, including students, teachers, administrative staff, non-teaching staff and parents, as well as the local community. Eco-Schools USA works to extend learning beyond the classroom and develop responsible environmental attitudes and commitments, both at home and in the wider community. Whether you are a teacher, student, administrator or facilities manager, the Eco-Schools USA program can benefit your school and local communities.
About National Wildlife Federation:
National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization inspiring people to protect wildlife for our children’s future. NWF focuses its education and policy work on connecting children to nature for a nation of happier, healthier kids. For more information: www.nwf.org.
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Christina Batcheler
703-438-6098
National Wildlife Federation is America's largest conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future. Learn more at www.nwf.org.