153 Public Schools, Academies, Private, and Parochial Schools were recognized on April 26th, 2017 at the Oakland County Intermediate School District Office Building this morning for outstanding achievement by the Michigan Green Schools.
In her final year as Coordinator and Project Coordinator for Oakland County’s Michigan Green Schools, Debby Dunn topped off her position with the successful celebration of the 10th Oakland County Annual Green Schools Awards Ceremony by having 3 of the counties top executives at the event.
Speaking in turn, Oakland County Deputy Executive Matt Gibb started off the event with a warm welcome, appreciative comment, and an inspired introduction aimed at challenging students to think about what their career path will be as “Oakland Counties Next”… a tributed presentation of the new Emerging Sectors Committee Initiative that brings ‘Millennial’ and younger Entrepreneurs together in Roundtable discussion.
Gibb then announced the well-decorated Oakland County School Superintendent, Wanda Cook-Robinson, whose passionate energy for learning and student engagement infused the attendees with positivity and anticipation. Cook-Robinson introduced the outstanding progress of the districts schools designation based on the point system for Green, Emerald, and Evergreen qualifications.
Also on hand from the County were District 12 Commissioner, Shelly-Goodman Taub, whose long standing career has included notable national boards as well as a local lifetime civil servant positions. We spoke at length about her current work as the Vice-Chair of the Birmingham Youth Assistance Program and how its mission fits into the Michigan Green Schools framework and her experience of volunteering her time to roadside cleanup. “I’m just plain proud of all of the schools that have received awards. It’s so important for the environment and that children learn sustainable practices. There’s a place for items to go; they don’t have to be wasted or left on the side of the road. the awareness of the students shows through by the difference we see, like the improvement of cleanliness on the highways.”
Exhibitors included Tower Garden, Reclaim Detroit, Polly Products, and Green For Life Environment, and Motor City Computer, among others. They lined the hallway and outer perimeter of the entrance plaza with information about organizations and products that promote sustainability. Hundreds of teachers and students representing the various institutions filed through with interest as they entered the huge presentation room for the annual event.
Awards, Sponsorship acknowledgements, and closing remarks were given by ceremony Coordinators: Whitney Calio and Debby Dunn, who kept the energetic pace and brought the event to a timely close.
Winning Top 3 Schools in their designated categories:
Green – Clifford Smart MS (Walled Lake)
Emerald – Botsford Elementary School (Clarenceville)
Evergreen – St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School
Ten year awards recipients were:
Beverly Elementary, Birmingham Public Schools
Pierce Elementary, Birmingham Public Schools
Lincoln Street Alternative High School, Birmingham Public Schools
Paint Creek Elementary, Lake Orion Community Schools
Clear Lake Elementary, Oxford Community Schools
Academy of the Sacred Heart, Parochial School
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, Parochial School
St. Mary Catholic School, Parochial School
The Roeper School, Private School
North Hill Elementary, Rochester Community Schools
Oak Ridge Elementary, Royal Oak Schools
Addams Elementary, Royal Oak Schools
Northwood Elementary, Royal Oak Schools
Smith Middle School, Troy School District
Watch for your local school in next years ceremony!
You can learn more about the Michigan Green Schools Program and what you and local schools can do to help the mission at: http://www.michigangreenschools.us or for Oakland County’s Green School’s page, click here.
Cathleen Francois is Executive Director of GreeningDetroit.com, who still enjoys just writing as much as promoting the companies mission.
She can be contacted at cathleen@GreeningDetroit.com or calling 248-818-4252