Rainbow Receives NC Green School of Excellence Award

Rainbow Receives NC Green School of Excellence Award

Yesterday, the NC Green Schools team from the non-profit organization Reading, Riding, Retrofit came to Rainbow to give us a plaque with our award. We are now an NC Green School of Excellence.

Green School Award

At left, Robin Cape (Executive Director of Reading, Riding, Retrofit), center is Katie Ferrell (Program Director) and Max Mraz – Rainbow Builder and Groundskeeper Extraordinaire.

The Reading, Riding, Retrofit: The NC Green Schools Programs organization strives to recognize and encourage schools that practice sustainability. They work to support school initiatives to become more “green” in their practices. For schools who want to participate, they list on their website various goals that schools can try to attain to help green their campuses. They have a five-part rubric: 1) Culture and Community, 2) School Sustainability, 3) Healthy Schools, 4) Curriculum Integration and 5) Innovation.

Rainbow tackled all five parts. Many schools only try to hit two or three parts of the rubric but we already know that Rainbow strives to go above and beyond with is vision of sustainability.

Joining in the fun was WLOS and Tammy Watford. They came to see the celebration and created a “Never Stop Learning” video documenting our all-school celebration.

They also interviewed two of our Omega students and their perceptions of being “green” and leading sustainable lives.

The first graders performed their “Water Cycle” song and 6th graders shared poems inspired by nature. Take a look at the photos to see all the wonderful students and staff enjoying a beautiful award on a beautiful day.

nc green schools

The Water Cycle Song

First grade Rainbow students sing the "Water Cycle" song as they are filmed by WLOS.

First grade Rainbow students sing the “Water Cycle” song as they are filmed by WLOS.

nc green schools

Kindergarten students join the celebration.

Two executive directors converse while students are assembling.

Two executive directors converse while students are assembling.

green school award

Kindergarten and first grade students get ready for the celebration

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Students and teachers look on as sixth graders read their nature poems.

nc green schools

Students get ready to celebrate

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Max, Robin and Torin (an RRR judge) check out the wooden “balance beam” trails on the preschool playground. The NC Green Schools team toured the school after the celebration.

green schools award

Left to right: Cynthia (who wrote the NC Green Schools application), Renee (Exectutive Director of Rainbow), Robin Cape and Katie Ferrell

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NC Green Schools judges and Rainbow staff check out the worm composting bins.

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Robin Cape, Executive Director of Reading, Riding Retrofit: NC Green Schools Programs – touring the campus