Award recognizes environmental initiatives
The U.S. Department of Education has named the Garrison School as a Green Ribbon School in recognition of the district’s sustainability practices, improved health and wellness and environmental education programs.
Garrison was one of 53 schools nationwide to be recognized this year and the only school from New York. The district will send a contingent to Washington, D.C., in July to receive the award from Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
In announcing the award on April 26, the Education Department said Garrison has made “significant strides in environmental stewardship, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, student health and wellness, and the integration of environmental education across the curriculum.”
The department cited a number of Garrison initiatives, including the district’s transition from boilers to an all-electric HVAC system, its use of a system to track energy and water use and the use of the district’s 181-acre forest for research and recreation.
“April was the hottest April on record,” said Superintendent Carl Albano. “This next generation of students will need to face this challenge and come up with solutions.”
Albano said that the Garrison School and community have a long history of embracing sustainability and outdoor education. He noted the hiking trails behind the school and other initiatives, such as LED lighting and sustainable furniture, that “reduced our carbon footprint.”
The district in 2021 hired Rachel Arbor, who specializes in environmental education and integrates her lessons into every grade level, finding ways to weave environment-related ideas into traditional subjects. Arbor has spearheaded many environmentally related projects, including obtaining a grant to allow the school’s gardens to be part of the district’s Pollinator Pathway.
She has also organized the Garrison Youth Climate Summit, to be held this year on May 17. The annual summit brings together climate professionals and students from Garrison and nearby schools to talk about climate issues.
“I want kids to leave Garrison environmentally literate,” said Arbor. “They should be connecting with and appreciating nature and understanding how the environment plays a role in every subject that they learn about.”
