Contact: Sarah Abel
Phone: 202-225-5506
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced that the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point University Child Learning and Care Center was named a 2021 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. This prestigious award honors schools, districts, and postsecondary institutions for reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness, and offering effective sustainability education.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of school grounds and a hands-on learning experience as education moved online,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I want to offer my sincere congratulations to the UW-Stevens Point University Child Learning and Care Center on receiving this well-deserved award. It’s great to see this national recognition for Wisconsin schools that are leading the way and setting the standard for excellence on sustainability practices and healthy learning environments.”
“The University Child Learning and Care Center is honored to receive recognition for our work in environmental education and sustainability practices,” said Alicia Utke-Becher, Preschool Teacher. “Our mission to develop better practices has been a long-term effort. Through continual education of teachers, a relationship with Wisconsin’s Green and Healthy Schools and our university and community partnerships, we have developed a school culture of environmental awareness of which we can all be proud.”
Across the country, 27 schools, three early learning centers, five districts, and five 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 20 states. The selectees include 24 public schools – among them, five charter schools and one magnet school – as well as three nonpublic schools. Over half of the 2021 honorees are in communities where over 40 percent of the student body are eligible for free and reduced lunch.
