Only 45 schools across the nation received the Green Ribbon Schools designation for 2017. Four Florida schools were named, with Surfside Elementary in Satellite Beach being the only Brevard school to bring home this distinguished environmental award.
Surfside teacher Erika Maier traveled to Washington, D.C last month to accept the award. “It was a great trip, I brought my two amazing kids with me – we had never been to D.C” said Maier. The ceremony took place at the Herbert Hoover Department of Commerce July 18-20.
The Green Ribbon Program is a national initiative of the U.S. Department of Education designed to honor schools and districts that reduce environmental impact and costs; improve the health and wellness of students and staff; and promote sustainability education. This can be achieved by incorporating science, mathematics, technology, civic skills and green career pathways.
Maier credits the entire Surfside community for their hard work. Principal Lori Masterson and Surfside sixth-grade science teacher Chimene Rice completed the lengthy application, which included a 10-year energy study of the school. “Our biggest hurdle was the age of our school” said Maier. Surfside elementary is 54 years old.
Maier shared that being good stewards of the planet goes way beyond celebrating Earth Day or putting out recycling bins. “At Surfside we take a holistic approach that incorporates environmental awareness into every subject and activity” she said.
Organic school gardens, schoolwide farm animal husbandry, and community outreach programs are just a few things that make this beachside school a model for saving the planet. Chicken, duck and turkey incubation happens on campus and adult animals are then cared for by the Fantastic 4H Farm at Wickham Park.
“Our school and our students are models for what can be done, but we still have lots of areas we can improve,” Maier said. “Every year the students conduct investigations around the school in areas like energy, water and waste. They use those results to decide what areas need improvement and then they come up with solutions and implement them.”
From brainstorming to hands-on practical skills, Maier said kids learn “to tackle tough issues that matter to them. They use their leadership and academic skills to make our school, and our community better.”