Washington Green Schools Program
Students, teachers to participate in Green Schools Student Summit
Vancouver, WA – Students and teachers from more than 30 Clark County schools will gather next week to learn how to increase their environmental leadership in their schools.
Clark County Green Schools will host its annual Student Summit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at Clark College’s Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way.
The four-hour event will include educational activities, breakout sessions and opportunities for students and teachers to learn from one another.
The Green Schools Summit is a collaboration between Clark County Public Health and Washington Green Schools, a statewide nonprofit that helps create more sustainable school communities. Schools in the program can certify as a green school in these environmental categories: water, waste and recycling, school grounds and gardens, energy, healthy school buildings and transportation.
“This is a great opportunity for students from all over Clark County to connect with other students and hear what exciting projects are happening all around them,” said Michelle Picinich, who leads the Green Schools program. “I’m excited to have some new faces in the room this year with schools that are new to the program. We’re here to help raise the next generation of environmental leaders.”
The Clark County Green Schools program strives to create a cohesive system of environmentally active schools where students, teachers and parents promote sustainable living and earth friendly practices.
In Clark County, 83 schools participate in the Washington Green Schools program, the greatest number in any county in the state. In the 2015-16 school year, 29 Clark County schools earned one or more environmental certifications.
To learn more about the Clark County Green Schools program and how your school can participate, visit www.clark.wa.gov/public-health/clark-county-green-schools.
Skyridge Middle School: This school was certified at Level 3 in Waste & Recycling, Transportation, and Healthy School Buildings. The Green Team began an educational campaign and replaced all of their antibacterial spray with an all-natural, environmentally responsible alternative. The Green Team also continues to maintain the changes that they have achieved in past certifications through the implementation of recycling programs, no-idling zones, and student-led efforts to lessen Skyridge’s environmental footprint. Thanks to their efforts, Skyridge is now a healthier, more sustainable place!
