Churchill Road Elementary School became just the eighth school in the country to earn the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag award Friday, Oct. 7. The Eco-Schools program is hosted by the National Wildlife Federation, and there are more than 50 eco schools in the County, along with two other Green Flag schools in the state, the highest award level.

“This district is the most awarded and decorated school district in the country,” said Laura Hickey, senior director of the Eco-Schools USA program. “It’s not easy to be a Green Flag school, there are only eight in the country, so it’s clear how hard this school worked, they’ve done some truly amazing things.”

The school’s students, staff and administrators all helped the school achieve the Green Flag award, taking a holistic approach to almost every aspect of the school’s functions. Students started composting, up cycling and recycling food and trash where they could, donating unopened food to a local food bank.

Principal Don Hutzel said their efforts help redistribute 270 pounds of trash per day. The school has seen its lunch waste drop by 90 percent following the implementation of the programs.

The school also helped with storm water management by placing rain barrels, helped reduce energy consumption, created an edible garden and sold produce at a fourth grade farmer’s market.

“The student council officers have been instrumental in promoting this program to their fellow students,” said Sharon Jones, assistant principal.

Students formed teams focusing on energy, art, communications, business and waste reduction. They also incorporated green measures into the curriculum, such as growing papyrus, cotton and soybeans while learning about ancient civilizations.

In their environmental studies program, they grew herbs in the school’s greenhouse, then developed product pricing, branding and packing strategies for the farmer’s market.

More information about Eco-Schools can be found at "http://www.eco-schools.org/".