Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) congratulated Providence's Nathan Bishop Middle School and Classical High School on receiving recognition today among the first winners of the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School awards.
"I applaud the students, faculty and administration of Nathan Bishop and Classical for setting a nationally recognized example for clean and efficient energy use," said Langevin, a founding member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). "By demonstrating that we can implement a green energy approach in our schools in an affordable way, they are a model for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, while showing how we can save our schools money in the long term."
The Green Ribbon Schools program was created in April 2011 and is modeled after the Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which annually honors public and private schools that are either high performing or have improved student achievement to high levels. Green Ribbon Schools are recognized for reducing their energy use and environmental impact, creating healthy learning environments, and providing effective environmental education that prepares students to succeed in the 21st century. Winning schools are located in 31 states and the District of Columbia and include public, both traditional and charter, and private schools at the elementary, middle, and senior high school levels.