WARRENVILLE, Ill. — IC Bus is inviting students to submit essays nominating
their schools to win the title of America’s Greenest School.
Students can enter by visiting www.americasgreenestschool.com, where they can
also learn more about making their schools more environmentally friendly.
The 500-word essays should focus on what makes each school green by describing
how the school shows its commitment to going green, how it teaches its students
the value of green living, how it shows its dedication to green transportation
or how it embodies the spirit of a greener planet.
Essays should also describe green practices in place at students’ schools, such
as in-school recycling programs, keeping lights turned off when not in use, environmentally-
smart landscaping and encouraging students to ride school buses
instead of parents’ cars to school.
Finalists will be announced after Earth Day (April 22), and the public will be
able to vote for their pick to win the title of America’s Greenest School.
The winning school will receive a plug-in hybrid school bus from IC Bus, which
yields increased fuel efficiency and decreased emissions compared to standard
school buses. It has an estimated retail value of $200,000.
The student who submits the winning essay will win a $5,000 scholarship, and
sponsoring teachers may receive $3,000 to use toward the purchase of educational
materials.