Mercer Island Schools Earn US Green Ribbon Award Honors

The Mercer Island School District announced it is the recipient of a Washington State Green Leader District award, part of the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Program, according to a news release.

Several of MISD's schools have won awards and are recognized through the King County Green Schools Program.

This nationwide effort celebrates schools and districts making significant progress towards:

• Reducing environmental impact and costs;
• Improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and
• Providing effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with the King County Green Schools Program and staff who have assisted us in our efforts to move forward in sustainability education," said MISD Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. "This award is thanks to them, our Green Team leaders, volunteers, students and staff who have been working so hard to lead the way in preserving the environment for future generations.”

Tahoma School District also won a Green Leader School District award, and the Kent School District was nominated to receive the U.S. Dept. of Education Green Ribbon School District award.~ The state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) forwards state finalists to the U.S. Department of Education (US-ED). US-ED chooses national award recipients from this group. The state award celebration will be held later this spring.