About the Green Schools Program:

 

2011-12 Academic School Year:

The 2011-12 Michigan Green Schools Program cycle is underway!  Changes in the law that established the Green Schools Program were made in December, 2010.  These changes affect the 2011-12 application process for new as well as experienced schools. 

There are now five categories for designated points and activities.  At least 2 activities from each of the first four categories must be earned to achieve Green School status.   Additional options are given in the fifth category, but these miscellaneous items must be approved by a county coordinator by December 1, 2011.

Mark your calendar for the 2011-12 Program Celebration to be held at the MISD on Monday, April 16, 2012.  Schools earning Official Michigan Green Schools status will be notified in late March and provided with further details for the Celebration.

2010-11 Academic School Year:

 

The 2010-11 academic year marked the third program cycle for the Macomb County Green Schools Program. A total of 101 schools from across the county achieved Official Michigan Green School status. 105 applications were submitted by the March 1, 2011 deadline which provided details and descriptions of activities that schools participated in to achieve the criteria set forth by PA 146 as well as the enhancements added by the Southeast Michigan Green Schools Initiative.  A special review panel carefully reviewed each application submission and ultimately approved 101 schools for Official Green School status. Of the 101, 32 schools completed an additional five activities to earn "Emerald" status and 36 earned ten additional points for "Evergreen" status.

 

Each schools' special achievement was honored at an Awards Ceremony held at the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) building on April 11, 2011. Schools new to the program or returning after having been off for a year earned a flag - returning schools each earned a special patch for the designation earned this year as well as in previous years.  Each school also received a certificate signed by Macomb County Board Chair Kathy D. Vosburg and Governor Rick Snyder.

 

Carter Middle School earned the honor of Top School for the Macomb County Green Schools 2010-11Program year. 

 

In addition, the three Sterling Heights schools which participated in AT&T's Project ReDirectory Challenge learned the results of their efforts to collect outdated phone books at the Awards Ceremony:

1st Place:     Collins Elementary School collected 13.19 tons and earned $500

2nd Place:    Margaret Black Elementary School collected 9.44 tons and earned $400

3rd Place:     Flynn Middle School collected 5.94 tons and earned $300

What an amazing effort by students, staff and the community!! 

 

2009-10 Academic School Year:

 

The 2009-10 academic year was the second for the Macomb County Green Schools Program. A total of 71 schools from across the county achieved Official Michigan Green School status. Program enhancements were made to allow schools to participate in more activities and earn designations of "Green," "Emerald," or "Evergreen." More than 80 applications were submitted by the March 1, 2010 deadline which provided details about activities relative to the criteria set forth in the law as well as the additional enhancements added this year. After a thorough evaluation by a review panel, the 71 schools which met or exceeded requirements were approved for Official Green School status. 

Each schools' special achievement was honored at an Earth Day Ceremony held at the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) building on April 22, 2010. The new flag (below) was given to schools; in addition each school received a certificate signed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, Lt. Governor John D. Cherry and Macomb County Board Chair Paul Gieleghem.

 

2008-09 Academic School Year:

 

Macomb County first launched in 2008-09 academic school year with participation from 45 schools across the county. Staff and students from various elementary, middle and high schools took part in activities and began initiatives which met the 10 points required for Official Michigan Green School status. Applications with details were submitted and reviewed for compliance. Schools were awarded the below flag and a certificate at an Earth Day awards celebration.

   

 In 2009, Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties formed the Southeast Michigan Green Schools Initiative and added further enhancements to the Michigan Green Schools Program so that schools that have already achieved Official Green School status can take their efforts to a higher level. Schools new to the program may also choose to complete extra points to achieve one of the new designations.

 

History:

 

The Michigan Green Schools Program originated from a grassroots initiative by students at Hartland High School. In the spring of 2006, Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed Public Act 146 into law creating the Michigan Green Schools Program. The law states that counties may award Official Michigan Green School status to schools who achieve 10 of 20 criteria specified.