Page 116 - Wellness Promotion Policy Annual Report FY19 & FY20

STUDENTS STUDENTS
Physical Education Physical Education
& Physical Activity Environment & Involvement & Physical Activity Environment &
Nutrition
Physical Environment EMPLOYEES Engagement Family Physical COORDINATING POLICY, PROCESS, AND PRACTICE Counseling, Social & FAMILIES Physical Environment EMPLOYEES Engagement Family Physical COORDINATING POLICY, PROCESS, AND PRACTICE Counseling, Social & FAMILIES
Nutrition
Community
Community
Services
Involvement
Services
Psychological
Psychological
Services
Services
HEALTHY SAFE
HEALTHY SAFE
CHALLENGED SUPPORTED ENGAGED
CHALLENGED SUPPORTED ENGAGED
Social &
Social &
Emotional
Environment
Emotional
Environment
Employee IMPROVING LEARNING AND HEALTH Health Climate Employee IMPROVING LEARNING AND HEALTH Health Climate
Wellness Education Wellness Education
Health Health
Services Services
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
Natural Areas (FY20)
ECS completed work to restore the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) Preserve located on the southeast According to Highland’s application, “Highland’s green team and over 1,000 students have worked together
corner of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary school property. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation with school administration to overhaul grounds enhancement, sustainability, health/well-being, curriculum
Commission (FWC) listed Gopher Tortoises as a threatened species, and therefore the preservation of their integration, school wide green culture, and community involvement. Even though the student population
habitats are of the upmost importance. The goal of this project was to eradicate all exotic and invasive species at the school grew by 6 percent, Highland Elementary reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 10 metric
throughout the 0.33 acre preserve. A new portion of fence was also installed to further protect the area. tons.”
Services were performed quarterly starting in December 2019 through August 2020. After that time, services
for the Gopher Tortoise Preserve were incorporated into the District’s Quarterly Maintenance program, USGBC 2020 Best of Green Schools Awards
which includes 10 other preserve areas. All work was performed in accordance with local, state and federal
regulations. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in collaboration
with the Green Schools National Network (GSNN),
announced the recipients of the 2020 Best of Green
The following Gopher Tortoise Preserve Plantings were added in order to support the Gopher Tortoise
population in the preserve: Schools Awards. The awards recognize people, schools,
campuses and organizations making significant strides in
• Prickly Pear school sustainability. The announcement officially named
• Gopher Apple The School District of Palm Beach County as the 2020
• Blanket Flower Best of Green Schools School System Award WINNER!
• Tickseed The School District was acknowledged for our long-
• Gallberry term ‘green’ partnerships, demonstrated commitment to
systemic change and for sharing sustainability best prac-
In addition, a Gopher Tortoise Classroom Presentation, a Field Research Sheet and a Gopher Tortoise Survey tices with external communities. Honorees were recognized on Monday, March 2, 2020 during the Green
were created for teachers to use with their students and to enhance environmental education at Dwight D. Schools Awards Luncheon at the Green Schools Conference and Expo, which took place in Portland, Oregon.
Eisenhower Elementary.
FL Green District Awards
Green Ribbon School Award (FY20)
The Florida Department of Education and the FL Green
Highland Elementary was named a prestigious 2020 Green Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. Schools Network recognizes school district efforts to
This national award recognizes schools that:
reduce environmental impacts and costs, improve the
health and wellness of students and staff and provide
• Reduce environmental impact and costs effective environmental and sustainability education.
• Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff In FY20, The School District of Palm Beach County was
• Provide effective environmental and sustainability education
awarded Gold status as a FL Green District. In July
2020, the District was featured in a webinar to recognize
Highland Elementary joins Gove Elementary and Pine Jog Elementary and celebrate the work of the seven Florida districts
as the third school in The School District of Palm Beach County to recently awarded Green District status. During the
be awarded Green Ribbon status. To be eligible, schools complete webinar, the District highlighted the Green Champion,
a rigorous application and must be nominated by state education Electronic Waste Recycling, and Garden of Dreams
authorities. Highland Elementary was the only school chosen by the programs in addition to a partnership with a student led
State of Florida this year for a nomination and is one of just 39 schools environmental non-profit called, Surface 71. Surface 71
in the country recognized during the 2020 school year.
aims to raise public awareness about the human impact
on our planet’s water resources.

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