At Charles F. Patton Middle School, green thumbs provided the catalyst for national Green Ribbon recognition on the nation's 45th Earth Day.
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday, April 22, that Patton was one of only 58 schools in the country that received the 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award. Seventeen school districts and nine post-secondary educational institutions were also recognized.
Christy Goldfuss, managing director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan delivered the news in a YouTube video. “Everyone at the White House applauds the work you have done – and can’t wait to see the amazing things you’ll do in the future,” Goldfuss said.
Charles F. Patton Middle School was nominated by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education for reducing its environmental impact and its energy efficiency; for its positive impact on health and performance of students and staff; and for its effective environmental and sustainability education.
Patton Principal Tim Hoffman said a parent mentioned the award about 18 months ago, and he approached Betsy Ballard and Kim Hisler, teachers in the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Department who run the Patton Project Gardens, an award-winning program they started in 2010.
After concluding that Patton’s milieu and programs reflected the award’s criteria, Ballard and Hisler expertly spearheaded the application process to the state, a time-consuming initiative that involved the whole school, Hoffman said.
“It’s a big deal … and such a team-effort award,” Hoffman said. “That’s probably the biggest point of pride. When you have a talented staff, great kids, and a supportive community, there’s no limit to what you can do. It’s so exciting.”
Hoffman said another particularly gratifying aspect of the award stems from the fact that its focus goes beyond test scores. “We know we do that well,” said Hoffman. The award references a school environment that includes wellness, conservation issues, and community service, aspects of the school program that aren’t generally lauded, Hoffman said.
“These honorees are compelling examples of the ways schools can help children build real-world skillsets, cut school costs, and provide healthy learning environments,” Duncan said when making the announcement. “U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and deserve the spotlight for embodying strong examples of innovative learning and civic engagement.”
A report highlighting the reasons for Patton’s selection cited the school’s installation of HVAC systems with air changes, automatic temperature controls, low-flow toilets and faucets, a drip line irrigation system, and solar arrays that power the Patton Project’s greenhouse.
Native plants and trees are planted around the Patton school building and the school has worked to shorten and reschedule school bus runs to be more efficient and reduce energy use. The formation of a district green team encourages students and staff to reduce, recycle, and reuse. Overall recycling efforts have steadily improved, and lighting has been updated to be more cost effective, the report said.
To improve the health of students and staff, Patton uses green cleaning products, reduces hazardous waste, and implements integrated pest management. Crossing guards ensure the safety of the many students who walk from neighboring developments. A wellness committee focuses on the mental and physical health of students and faculty, and attention is paid to nutrition through measures such as banning soda and snacks loaded with sugar from being sold at the school, the report said.
In addition, Patton supports local farmers by purchasing locally grown produce and uses vegetables from the Patton Project Gardens’ 30 raised beds, as well as its high tunnels and a greenhouse, which ensure winter crops. Environmental initiatives include wildlife and native plant habitats, composting, pervious trails, protected wetlands, and plantings by a local farmer who engages in annual crop rotation. Two outdoor classrooms provide space for learning in a natural environment, another outgrowth of the Patton Project Gardens, the report said.
It also referenced science classes that go outside regularly to garden, explore nature, conduct experiments, and teach orienteering. Teachers receive multiple professional development opportunities through the Stroud Water Research Center, Longwood Gardens, the Brandywine River Museum of Art, and the Tyler Arboretum, and they participate in numerous professional development opportunities.
Science and geography classes embed activities that require students to reflect and evaluate connections between the physical environment and human activities, such as a school lunch investigation project to measure waste. Students calculate their ecological footprints, and they develop problem-solving solutions to local and global issues. Eighth-graders choose an environmental project for the school or their community, the report said.
Finally, the report stressed the importance of partnering organizations that provide support through grants, donations, time, and materials. For example, students learn the importance of growing and eating healthy produce as well as helping the food-deprived through the Chester County Food Bank, and they learn about the benefits of using renewable energy through an interactive dashboard, part of the solar array donated by Tri-M Group LLC.
Since its inception, the Patton Gardens Project has produced more than 6,000 pounds of produce for the Chester County Food Bank, spawned numerous other environmental initiatives at Patton, and received numerous awards. In March, it was honored with a national Magna Award at the Best Practices for School Leaders Luncheon in Nashville, Tenn. The Patton Project was one of five first-place winners in the under-5,000 enrollment category.
According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the Green Ribbon program aims to inspire schools to strive for 21st century excellence by highlighting exemplary practices and resources that all can employ. Duncan said he looked forward to celebrating with the honorees at a June awards ceremony. “Until then, please share your story of progress so that other schools can learn and adopt your promising practices,” he said.
In a thank-you email to Patton’s staff on Thursday, April 23, Hoffman wrote: “As you can see by the comprehensiveness of the criteria, we ALL own this award with the things we do and provide for kids each and every day. All teachers, support staff, counselors, custodians, building and grounds workers, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and crossing guards, district supervisors, community partners, and most importantly, our parents and students made this recognition a reality. Congratulations to all of you!”
Hoffman said the award even prompted “a brief conversation with the governor.” He said Gov. Tom Wolf used his personal Twitter account to offer congratulations. Hoffman said he replied by thanking the governor and inviting him to visit Patton the next time he’s in the area.
To view the announcement from Washington, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHQ-kbGAeBk.
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