2 Redondo Beach Schools Earn Green Ribbon Distinction

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Two Redondo Beach schools were recognized on Earth Day as national Green Ribbon Schools for their efforts to go green and move toward sustainability. The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday that Jefferson Elementary and Patricia Dreizler Continuation High are among honorees named for their work to reduce environmental impact and boost sustainability.

Jefferson Elementary received Gold recognition and Patricia Dreizler Continuation High received Bronze recognition. These Redondo Beach schools are among 39 schools, 11 districts and five postsecondary institutions across Los Angeles County that were included in the national Green Ribbon Schools accolade list.

The campuses, part of the Redondo Beach Unified School District, had to meet a series of criteria to qualify for the recognition.

In order to receive the distinction, campuses or districts must display "innovative efforts" toward addressing the U.S. Department of Education's three pillars: reducing environmental impact and utility costs, improving health and wellness and ensuring effective sustainability education.

"I want to congratulate this year's U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School honorees for a job well done," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a statement announcing the honorees. "During this unprecedented time, it's a pleasure to celebrate these bright spots of creativity and to applaud the teachers and local education leaders who have worked to create healthy, sustainable and innovative learning environments for their students."

"Congratulations to the honorees," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said in a statement. "California Green Ribbon Schools expertly use local approached to tackle global issues such as sustainability and environmental literacy. Students are not only learning and practicing environmental stewardship, but also sharing those sustainable practices with their families and in their communities."

Los Angeles and Orange county campuses and districts included in the California Green Ribbon School Awardees list were:

• Anderson W. Clark Magnet High, Glendale Unified, Los Angeles County (Green Achiever)
• Jefferson Elementary, Redondo Beach Unified, Los Angeles County (Gold)
• Benjamin Franklin Elementary, Glendale Unified, Los Angeles County (Silver)
• Patricia Dreizler Continuation High, Redondo Beach Unified, Los Angeles County (Bronze)
• Golden View Elementary, Ocean View, Orange County (Silver)
• Claremont Unified, Los Angeles County (Gold)

Other California schools included on the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools list were Edison Elementary School in Alameda; Creston Elementary School in Creston; and Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley. In addition, Carmel Unified School District in Carmel was named a District Sustainability Awardee.

-City News Service contributed to this report.