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 describe what makes each school green, such as in-school recycling programs, keeping lights turned off when not in use, environmentally smart landscaping and students riding school buses instead of driving to school.

In addition, the submission should describe 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.

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. The bus has an estimated retail value of $200,000. The student who submits the winning essay will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and sponsoring teachers may receive $3,000 to use toward educational materials.