MUHSD's "Green" Efforts Recognized

Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) is one of two school districts in the state to appear on the 2022 California's Green Ribbon Schools list, announced on Friday by State Superintendent of Public Schools Tony Thurmond. Additionally, MUHSD is the only school district in the state labeled a "Green Achiever" and has also received U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition.

The California Green Ribbon School award is given to schools, school districts and county offices of education that go to great lengths to educate students about environmental preservation. MUHSD was recognized along with San Mateo Union High School District, Santa Cruz Office of Education, St. Martin of Tours Academy and 18 individual school sites.

From this group, five were labeled “Green Achievers” and nominated by Superintendent Thurmond for national recognition. MUHSD, the sole school district confirmed by ED-GRS, was joined by Katella High School in the Anaheim Union High School District, Altamont Creek Elementary School in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District in Alameda County, Suisun Valley School in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District in Solano County, and St. Martin of Tours Academy, a private school in San Diego County.

From the press release sent earlier today by the California Department of Education:

“Merced Union High School District (MUHSD) focuses on conservation and preparing its students for green careers. In 2016, MUHSD’s Green Technology and Energy Conservation students collaborated with the California Conservation Corps to perform energy audits on all district campuses. Students used data from energy audits to advocate that the school board add on-site solar to all seven campuses. With the information presented by the students, the district decided to install parking-area solar panels for each school under a power purchase agreement with no upfront cost to the district.

Prior to COVID-19, school gardens provided cafeterias with fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh eggs raised by Future Farmers of America students. During the pandemic, the district donated approximately 800 pounds of harvested produce to rescue missions and food banks to help those in need. The team is using the ED-GRS application as a template to guide their work in creating a campus that is environmentally sustainable, encourages STEM innovations, and uses greener technologies.”

“MUHSD is committed to educating students about the importance of minimizing one’s environment impact, and our recently-completed district-wide solar array project is just one of the ways we are leading by example,” said MUHSD Superintendent Alan Peterson. “I am excited and proud to see the efforts of our staff garnering state and national recognition. It is well-deserved.”

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