By: Pattie Stivender,
Education Director

On April 27, students and teachers from across Fayette County came together to celebrate green initiatives in Fayette County Schools.   The partner recognition ceremony, held at Garrett Morgan Elementary, awarded seventy two public and private schools for their efforts in sustainability.

Garret Morgan, one of Lexington’s newest elementary schools, has focused on sustainability from day one.  Staff quickly set up a school recycling program and raised funds to purchase classroom recycling bins.  Their energy team monitors energy consumption throughout the school as a part of FCPS E=USE2.

Lexington schools were recognized for their outstanding efforts in recycling and waste reduction, water quality education, litter abatement initiatives, and energy conservation education as part of the LiveGreenLexington School Partner Program.  This program is funded by LFUCG and managed by Bluegrass Greensource.

Schools also received recognition for their participation in Fayette County Public Schools’ Education leads to Understanding Sustainability, Energy and the Environment program (E=USE). 

Andrea Marcum of Arlington Elementary was named as Outstanding Teacher of the Year. Arlington participated in the Recycle Challenge and improved their district’s recycling rate by over 45%! Ms. Marcum wrote a musical and her students made instruments from recyclable material to promote the challenge.

Bluegrass Youth Sustainability Council was named Environmental Stewards of the year.  The council is comprised of high school students from public and private schools across Fayette County.  Students work collaboratively on projects in all areas of sustainability including energy management, outdoor classrooms, waste management, water quality and air quality.

Providence Montessori Middle was selected as Volunteers of the Year.  Students from Providence visited Bluegrass Greensource’ office monthly to perform tasks that assisted in environmental outreach.  They cheerfully performed each task assigned to them whether it was helping educators prepare materials for classroom activities, cleaning, or organizing.

Refreshments were provided in part by Bryan Station High School’s culinary arts class who produced a refreshing vanilla confetti cake with strawberry yogurt frosting.  Floral arrangements were provided by Locust Trace AgriScience Center.  School awards and table decorations were made from upcycled vinyl records donated by Habitat for Humanity Restore.

The program featured student made videos. SCAPA students showed how to improve water quality with their video on non point source pollution and best management practices. Cardinal Valley Elementary, focused on coal and energy conservation, and Bluegrass Youth Sustainability Council showed us their goals with the video Where We’re Going.

Bluegrass Greensource would like to thank Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, teachers, and students for their support of this school partner program.