Parkway North Receives Green Ribbon School Award for First Time

On Nov. 16, students will lead a group of educators on a tour of Parkway North to highlight Parkway North as one of three nationally-recognized Green Ribbon Schools in Missouri. This is the first year that Parkway North received the Green Ribbon School Award.

According to the application Parkway North completed to be considered for the Green School Award, “Parkway North is a school that has a deep rooted commitment to Whole School Sustainability.”

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a very selective program that gives out awards to schools that meet the rules for eligibility. To be eligible, a school has to turn in a form containing all of the school’s information; be applicable with civil rights, student aid, health, environment, and safety statutory and regulatory requirements; meet high school academic standards; be making progress in all three pillars. ‘The pillars’ include whether a school reduces negative environmental impact and costs; improves the health and wellness of the school, students and staff; and provides effective environmental and sustainable education.

“We were going over and beyond as far as our efforts in being a green school [and] as far as being environmentally safe and protective and looking out for individuals and teaching individuals and educating individuals about preserving our environment,” said principal Dr. Tori Cain.

Parkway North High School uses multiple school buses that run on compressed natural gases, reduced the amount of energy used by 25 percent, reduced irrigation water use by 45 percent, and has made many other efforts to helping the environment.

However, Parkway North’s efforts are not done. Many teachers believe that if more students made an effort, Parkway North would have a bigger effect.

“I think there is a minority of students who make a huge effort, and a larger group of students who make almost no effort,” said science teacher Brian Kramer. Right now, lots of students don’t do the simple organizing the trash in the commons between compostable, recycling, and trash.

Overall though, this award is making students and staff have more school pride.

“I feel really proud. I was not sure if our school was actually doing much. The fact that we actually won this award makes me really happy,” said sophomore Hannah Thiede.

by Cassie Schoene, staff writer