Gwynedd-Mercy Elementary Named Green Ribbon School

LOWER GWYNEDD, PA — Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary School has received a rare honor, as they ave been named a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon school for 2020.

They are the only school in all of Pennsylvania to receive the award this year, which aims to recognize outstanding efforts in environmental education and sustainability.

“On the 50th Anniversary of the first Earth Day, I am thrilled that Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary has been named a 2020 Green Ribbon School," Anna Knapke, the prinicipal of the school, said in a statement. "As an institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy, we share the Sisters of Mercy’s critical concern for the Earth, focusing our attention on our commitment to promote sustainable practices within our facilities and our health and environmental education."

Specifically, 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.

A total of 39 schools were honored nationwide.

"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."

The winning schools were chosen from a pool of candidates nominated by 27 different states.