West Hartford First District to Sign Up for State's Green Schools Program

West Hartford Public Schools has become the first full district to sign on to a state program designed to improve student and staff health, educate students about sustainability and the environment and reduce schools’ environmental impact.

The program, called Connecticut Green Leaf Schools, was launched in 2012, when just five charter and magnet schools signed on. Now, West Hartford’s 16 have been added to the list.

Green Leaf provides support to participating schools as well as rewarding progress. Schools that show significant progress can be nominated for the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Award program. In 2012-13, 89 schools from 31 states were nominated – including three winners from Connecticut, according to a press release from the program.

LEAF stands for “Leading, Educating, Achieving and Fostering green, healthy schools for all.”  The program is a collaborative effort led by the Connecticut Departments of Construction Services, Education, Energy and Environmental Protection, and Public Health, along with more than 30 other state educational and environmental organizations.

For more information visit www.ctgreenschools.org/ctgreenleaf.htm.