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“RECOGNIZING CAMELOT ELEMENTARY FOR BEING NAMED A GREEN RIBBON SCHOOL” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1092 on June 20, 2012.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING CAMELOT ELEMENTARY FOR BEING NAMED A GREEN RIBBON SCHOOL
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HON. ADAM SMITH
of washington
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Camelot Elementary School, in Auburn, Washington, for being named a Green Ribbon School. This honor, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, is given to schools participating in activities to promote and encourage a healthy and environmentally sustainable learning environment.
Students and staff at Camelot Elementary have taken a wide variety of steps toward reducing energy consumption. Since 2007, the school has reduced energy usage by 50 percent. They replaced light bulbs, removed personal appliances, and placed reminders on light switches and computers. Teachers and students use green checklists in every classroom to remind each other about ways to decrease energy consumption and waste.
To address the threatened salmon population in Washington State, students raised salmon in classrooms to release into local streams. Students also published a newspaper with information and resources about conservation. To decrease the use of plastic bottles, the school organized a fundraiser for reusable water bottles.
In addition to becoming good stewards of the Earth, staff, students, and parents are taking steps to improve health and nutrition. The school raised money from the community to build a community garden on the school grounds and the school follows the United States Department of Agriculture standards to make sure students have balanced meals. Nearly 60 percent of the student body walks or bikes to school. On the weekends, the school and the Parent-Teacher Association send backpacks filled with healthy foods home with disadvantaged students.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the students, staff, and parents from Camelot Elementary. The steps they are taking to reduce energy consumption, improve nutrition, and protect our environment and resources will continue to benefit our community for many years to come. I hope many other schools follow Camelot Elementary's example.
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