Since 2016, Women for a Healthy Environment's (WHE) Healthy Schools Recognition Program has recognized and celebrated public and private schools (K-12) across western and central Pennsylvania that have taken strides to create a green and healthy learning environment for their school community. This program also helps schools begin the process of striving toward recognition in the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Award Program. This year, WHE is recognizing six schools that have excelled in their efforts to create a healthier and more sustainable learning environment: The Ellis School, Steel Valley School District, Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, Allison Park Elementary School, Arsenal Middle School, and Hance Elementary School.
The Healthy Schools Recognition program focuses on three essential aspects of school sustainability: physical place, education program, and organizational culture. To determine a school's status, the three categories are further broken down into activities that schools can participate in, found in WHE's Healthy Schools Recognition Checklist. A school can be recognized as an Emerging School or receive Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, or High Honor Roll with Distinction designation, based on how many activities they've completed.
"Women for a Healthy Environment has designed this program to celebrate a school's successes, no matter how large or small. We are honored to empower schools to go above and beyond in their commitment to creating green and healthy learning environments for both students and staff," says Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment. "Studies have shown that when children are in healthy academic settings, their performance increases. By providing the resources, tools, and knowledge to move toward more sustainable practices, we are all working together to create a more vibrant future for all."
The 2022-23 Healthy Schools Recognition Program Awardees:
Steel Valley School District
As a returning 2018-2019 awardee, Steel Valley School District received recognition for maintaining their Honor Roll status by offering at least one teaching unit on alternative energy or an environmental issue, creating a school green team, testing for radon, offering a salad bar daily, and maintaining a beautiful garden at their elementary school. Steel Valley also has a robust recycling program which includes office paper, newspapers/magazines, cardboard, art supplies (crayons and markers), plastic bags, plastic, and metal cans.
Other Schools Recognized Include: The Ellis School, Eden Hall Upper Elementary School, Allison Park Elementary School, Arsenal Middle School, and Hance Elementary School
Every school year, WHE's Healthy Schools Recognition Program creates an opportunity for schools to shine while working to improve the lives of students and all school personnel. This year's awardees are celebrated for their dedication to building safer and healthier learning environments in and around their schools.
Schools and districts are invited to apply for next year's Healthy Schools Recognition Program on WHE's website.
About Women for a Healthy Environment – Through education, technical assistance, coalition-building and advocacy, Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) addresses environmental harms that impact public health. Its three main programs are Healthy Homes, Healthy Schools PA and Healthy Early Learning. At the core of WHE's work is creating healthy spaces for children to live, learn and play. Learn more at WomenForAHealthyEnvironment.org.
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