Last month, Patton Elementary School became the first elementary school in Austin to win the prestigious Green Flag award from the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA program. The award is given for exceptional achievement in sustainability and for integrating environmental education into the curriculum.
“We’re honored to get the Green Flag,” said Marisa Flores, a Patton kindergarten teacher, in a press release. “What’s really important to us is that it’s a symbol of the collaborative effort between Patton students, staff and the community. This three-year experience has changed Patton’s atmosphere and culture. We’ve climbed this mountain, and now, from the summit, we see more mountains to conquer. It’s not over because we have the Green Flag!”
To earn their Green Flag, Patton Elementary School:
- Created an Eco-Action Team to take the lead on all of their new sustainability initiatives
- Audited the energy efficiency of their buildings
- Implemented outdoor learning time and integrated environmental themes into the curriculum
- Became a certified National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat and participated in the National Wildlife Federation’s Monarch Heroes Program
