- <p>Green Strides Tour occurring this year in northern and central California</p>Who
<p>Glenna Gallo, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, U.S. Department of Education<br>
Andrea Falken, special advisor for infrastructure and sustainability, U.S. Department of Education<br>
Naomi Stern, environmental sustainability and infrastructure impact fellow, U.S. Department of Education<br>
Abel Guillen, deputy superintendent, California Department of Education<br>
Malia Vella, deputy superintendent, California Department of Education<br>
Juan Mireles, director, School Facilities and Transportation Services Division, California Department of Education<br>
Christopher Maricle, education administrator, California Department of Education<br>
George Garcia, program lead, California Green Ribbon Schools, California Department of Education<br>
Ida Clair, state architect, California Department of General Services<br>
Sharon Olken, member, California State Board of Education<br>
Kim Pattillo Brownson, member, California State Board of Education<br>
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, mayor, City of Alameda<br>
Tracy Jenson, councilmember, City of Alameda<br>
Trish Herrera Spencer, councilmember, City of Alameda<br>
Marry Ann Dewan, superintendent, Santa Clara County Office of Education<br>
Matt Wayne, superintendent, San Francisco Unified School District<br>
Richard Ginn, president, Sequoia Union High School District School Board<br>
Jonathan Klein, partner, UndauntedK12<br>
Andra Yeghoian, chief innovation officer, Ten Strands<br>
Sharon Danks, chief executive officer, Green Schoolyards America<br>
Estrella Risinger, executive director, California Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education</p>What<p>Green Strides Tour occurring this year in northern and central California</p>
When<p class="h3">Tuesday, September 19</p>
<ul>
<li>8:15–9 a.m.: <strong>Tour Launch Event</strong> at A.P. Giannini Middle School, 3151 Ortega St, San Francisco.</li>
<li>9–10:45 a.m.: <strong>San Francisco Unified School District</strong>; A.P. Giannini Middle School, 3151 Ortega St, San Francisco and Sunset Elementary School, 1920 41st Ave, San Francisco.</li>
<li>12–1:10 p.m.: <strong>Bay Farm School</strong>; 200 Aughinbaugh Way, Alameda, Calif.</li>
<li>1:30–2:30 p.m.: <strong>Edison Elementary School</strong>; 2700 Buena Vista Ave, Alameda, Calif.</li>
<li>3:45–4:45 p.m.: <strong>Bishop O'Dowd High School</strong>; 9500 Stearns Ave, Oakland. </li>
<li>4:45–6:15 p.m.: <strong>Reception</strong> at Bishop O'Dowd High School </li>
</ul><p class="h3">Wednesday, Sept. 20</p>
<ul>
<li>8–9 a.m.: <strong>Los Altos High School</strong>; 201 Almond Ave, Los Altos, Calif. </li>
<li>9:30–10:30 a.m.: <strong>Woodside Priory School</strong>; 302 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, Calif. </li>
<li>11–12:45 p.m.: <strong>Redwood High School</strong>; 1968 Old County Rd, Redwood City, Calif. </li>
<li>2:30–3:30 p.m.: <strong>Altamont Creek Elementary School</strong>; 6500 Garaventa Ranch Rd, Livermore, Calif. </li>
</ul><p class="h3">Thursday, Sept. 21</p>
<ul>
<li>8:30–9:45 a.m.: <strong>Quail Lake Environmental Charter School</strong>; 4087 N Quail Lake Dr, Clovis, Calif. </li>
<li>11:45–1:45 p.m.: <strong>Merced Union High School District</strong>; Atwater High School, 2201 Fruitland Ave, Atwater, Calif. </li>
</ul>Where<p>Northern and central California schools. Site details and times above. </p>
<p><strong>REGISTRATION:</strong></p>
<p>Members of the media and public wishing to attend specific tour events may email <a href="mailto:InfrastructureandSustainability@ed.gov">InfrastructureandSustain…;
U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Assistant Secretary Glenna Wright-Gallo, Andrea Suarez Falken, special advisor for infrastructure and sustainability, and Naomi Stern, environmental sustainability and infrastructure impact fellow, accompanied by numerous other federal, state, and local officials, will visit San Francisco Bay Area and central California schools Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 19-21, as part of the U.S. Department of Education's annual Green Strides Tour.
This year's theme is "Schools for Climate Solutions." As climate change continues to accelerate, schools and families are impacted. Climate change has disproportional effects on historically under-resourced and communities of color, perpetuating existing challenges for schools to maintain healthy learning environments. To address climate change, schools are working to both mitigate impacts and adapt to current and future changes. In addition, climate change education connects to all subject areas, prepares students for college and career pathways in the green economy, and provides opportunities for civic learning.
Schools featured on this tour are embedding climate solutions into their facilities management and curriculum, ensuring that students and communities are healthy. As part of the tour, host sites will discuss their innovative practices and strategies for making schools resilient. The events will include visits to school buildings and grounds and conversations with educators and students regarding environmental education and place- and project-based learning and discussions with key facilities personnel about efficient and renewable energy technologies that help to both improve health and save districts money.
Annually, the Green Strides Tour celebrates U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools' (ED-GRS) achievements, highlights their innovative school sustainability practices, and inspires other schools. The 2023 theme, "Schools for Climate Solutions," encompasses all three Pillars of this recognition, including: 1) reducing environmental impact and costs; 2) improving health and wellness; and 3) teaching effective environmental education.
Since 2013, the tour has visited more than 20 states and over 200 school sites. Previous Green Strides Tours have included Alabama, southern California, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Find more information on the ED-GRS recognition award here and on the ED Infrastructure and Sustainability initiative here.