November 17, 2011

Nine school divisions, including two in Central Virginia, received top awards in the 2011 VSBA Green Schools Challenge.

Winners were announced Thursday at VSBA Annual Convention in Williamsburg. Winning school divisions were selected from over 51 entries, and 38 school divisions were recognized as certified green school divisions.

Winning School Divisions were:

Student Population under 5,000

First Place: Charlottesville City Public Schools

Second Place: Patrick County Public Schools

Third Place: Cumberland County Public Schools

Student Population 5,001- 10,000

First Place: Gloucester County Public Schools

Second Place: Halifax County Public Schools

Third Place: Manassas City Public Schools

Student Population 10,001 & Up

First Place: Loudoun County Public Schools

Second Place: Albemarle County Public Schools

Third Place: Arlington County Public Schools

The VSBA Green Schools Challenge is a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community.

Four local school systems were also recognized as "Green School Divisions". Albemarle and Charlottesville received Platinum Certification, Culpeper County Public Schools received Gold Certification and Nelson County Public Schools received Green Certification.