Third- and fourth-graders produced a mock TV newscast showing a tour of green initiatives around their school, earning South Shore Public Charter School in Norwell, Mass., this year's title of "America's Greenest School."

South Shore's entry won the school a new hybrid school bus from IC Bus that helps reduce the school's carbon footprint. This is the second straight year IC Bus has administered the nationwide contest.

In addition to the hybrid school bus, the class also wins:

• • A $20,000 green audit/makeover for the school

• • A $3,000 scholarship to be divided among the class

• • $500 for class supplies

The open call for entries garnered 550 submissions from nearly 1,600 students around the country. After IC Bus announced 10 finalists in March, online voting determined the winning school, with nearly 1 million total votes cast.

Teacher Sarah Roberts' class enlisted the help of some of the older students to produce a video entry that showcased South Shore's top environmental efforts. The brief video includes reports from around the school on environmental initiatives such as a vegetable oil-fueled van, recycling stations, a composting area and their Waste Watchers program that features teams of students who help cut excess energy use.

"Today's students are making environmental responsibility even more of a priority over previous generations," said John McKinney, president of IC Bus. "The commitment to going green was evident in this year's entries. It was clear that South Shore Public Charter School used its creativity to get its message across — and America made a great choice in selecting the school as the winner."