OLHMS Receives State Recognition for their Conservation Efforts

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the state’s three winners of the Illinois Green School Award program. The program recognizes schools that save energy, reduce costs, protect student and staff health and wellness, and offer environmental education. The three recipients are Woodland Primary School in Gages Lake, Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School in Oak Lawn, and Evanston Skokie School District 65 in Evanston.

“It’s not just about being green, it’s about creating a learning environment that connects student health and the environment to academic achievement,” said Mark Bishop, Vice President of Policy and Communication, Healthy Schools Campaign.  “These winning schools demonstrate that connection and are helping educate the next generation of Illinois’s leaders.”

Students and staff at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School enjoy filtered drinking water fountains, which protect users from ingesting potential contaminants. Thanks to two refillable water stations, the school has seen a reduction in the amount of plastic bottles discarded and ultimately being taken to landfills. Their paper- recycling program along with a 1:1 netbook program has significantly reduced the school’s paper consumption. They are currently working on the implementation of alternate sources of energy to further reduce environmental impact.

Assistant Principal, Mrs. Laura Ferrell, commented, "We are very honored to be chosen as one of three recipients for this award.  It always feels good when effort is recognized.   This award celebrates our school's commitment to sustaining an environmentally sound world for our community."  

For more information, please visit: http://www.isbe.net/news/2014/mar6.htm

"Illinois Green School Award Recipients Announced." Illinois Green School Award Recipients Announced. N.p., 6 Mar. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.