Milwaukee Public Schools had two schools named to the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools list for their efforts to reduce environmental impact utility costs, improve health and wellness and ensure effective sustainability education. 

A.E. Burdick School and Golda Meir School were among the 27 schools, five school districts and four institutions of higher education to receive recognition by the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of the Green Ribbon Schools program is to highlight promising school sustainability practices and to help facilitate state and local collaboration around school facilities, health, and environmental education.

Both A.E. Burdick School and Golda Meir School worked with ReFlo, a nonprofit organization, to implement redevelopment projects. The projects removed more than 36,000 square feet of impervious surface and added features to reduce stormwater runoff such as porous engineered wood chip surfacing, stormwater trees and native landscaping.

The students at Golda Meir also designed and created three different apps to educate the community about the sustainability of the playground, recycling, and supporting students dealing with emotional trauma.

“This is an incredible honor not just for Golda Meir and Burdick, but for Milwaukee Public Schools,” said Milwaukee Schools Superintendent Keith Posley in a press release. “The work of our students is a shining example of how we are combining education and sustainability to help improve our environment. We are also grateful for our school staff and partners who continue to support our young people in this critical work for our community.”

In addition to the two Milwaukee schools, four other schools in districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools were named Green Ribbon Schools. They were J.G. Whittier Elementary School in Washington, D.C.; Millennia Gardens Elementary School in Orlando; Cassidy Elementary School in Lexington, Ky.; and Villa del Rey Creative Sciences & Arts Magnet School in Baton Rouge, La.

Two schools in Richmond, Va., John B. Cary Elementary School and Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts, were also honored.

The winning schools were selected from a pool of candidates nominated by 19 states. Representatives from the schools are invited to a fall ceremony in Washington D.C.