September 17th was a time of celebration for Colorado as we became the focus of the Green Strides Best Practices Tour. Andrea Suarez Falken, ED Green Ribbon Schools Director, and other federal, state, and local government officials, visited schools and districts throughout the state that have demonstrated sustainable practices and environmental leadership in public education. As a science teacher and school administrator at Kinard Middle School in Fort Collins, Colorado, I was honored to have these visitors witness firsthand what we have accomplished and celebrate our commitment to environmental stewardship, health, and environmental education.

At Kinard Middle School, we believe in providing students with an authentic, engaging learning environment that reflects the civic responsibilities they will face in the real world. It is our responsibility as teachers to empower students to own their learning through practical applications that let them impact their school and communi...

Colorado Department of Education and U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools welcomed Kinard's very own, Michael Yeh as the student representative for the State of Colorado to talk about our green school and student leadership efforts at Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School. Katie and Kate also represented Colorado with pride. We had the opportunity to tour DPS Green School to learn from an amazing garden/farm system on their site. It was an amazing day of learning. Tomorrow the USDE Green Strides Tour will visit Poudre School District schools. 

Student leaders from Kinard CARES had the unique opportunity to visit the Colorado Board of Education to honor our Green Ribbon School Award. These students did an outstanding job representing us and speaking for our school in front of the CDE Board of Education. 

On Earth Day,​ the U.S. Department of Education announced that one Colorado school has earned the prestigious national Green Ribbon Schools Award.



Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School was among 64 schools honored for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education (Green Ribbon Schools Criteria and Pillars).



“Today’s honorees are modeling a comprehensive approach to being green,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.  “They are demonstrating ways schools can simultaneously cut costs; improve health, performance and equity; and provide an education geared toward the jobs of the future. In fact, the selected districts are saving millions of dollars as a result of their greening efforts. And the great thing is that the resources these honorees are using are available for free to all schools."



Built in 2005, Kinard continues to be a national leader in environmental l...