State College Friends School Receives Prestigious Green Ribbon Award

​U.S. Secretary of Education Names State College Friends School 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School
The U.S. Department of Education has named State College Friends School as one of 35 schools among the 2019 U.S.Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools award honorees.  The federal department  named Friends School as a community that explores social justice and environmental sustainability the Quaker way.
While there were more than twenty illustrations presented in the award application of the ways in which Friends School participates in stewardship and environmental sustainability such as use of solar panels and all-school recycling, several highlights were acknowledged:

• In 2018 the school received the prestigious Centre County Emerald award from the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority for being a  “Green Business Partner;
• classrooms use composting bins to collect food waste that is added to an outdoor compost container.  This rich organic waste is used on the student gardens to produce vegetables used in school cooking;
• in addition to several daily periods of vigorous outdoor play, students and teachers participate in a Monday morning all-school/all-weather walk  to stimulate deep breathing, aerobic response, and enjoyment of nature;
• faculty members participate in on-going train-the-trainer professional development programs including Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, Project WET, Healthy Water/Healthy People, and Agriculture in the Classroom. In addition, teachers place an emphasis on STEM in their hands-on curriculum in all grades Pre-K through 8.

“As a school deeply steeped in the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship, we learn the basics of caring for ourselves so that we may care for others, our material possessions, our school and community, and the environment,” said Donnan Stoicovy, head of school.  “As we practice these skills as a school community and continue to learn about the impact of our actions, we become more impassioned and dedicated to care for the earth.”
D. Wayne Bender, director for the Hardwood Development Council of the PA Department of Agriculture commented, “After a one day visit to this school this spring I know this is a well deserved honor.”  Students had an opportunity to participate in an interactive program with Bender earlier this year when he visited the school with the PA Woodmobile, sponsored by the PA Hardwoods Council.  They  learned about soft and hard woods, sustainable use of native trees, the challenges of managing  invasive species and insects.
Across the country, 35 schools, 14 districts, and four postsecondary institutions are being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education.
The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 28 states. The selectees include 25 public schools, including three magnet schools and two charter schools, as well as 10 nonpublic schools. Thirty-six percent of the 2019 honorees serve a disadvantaged student body.
The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 53 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here.