Amtrak and Green Education Foundation Announce Green in Action Winner

Thomas Prince School Stands Out in National Contest Calling on K-12 Schools to Implement Sustainability Initiatives. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 25, 2012 - The Green in Action Contest, part of Green Education Foundation's (GEF) free National Green Week program, asks schools and youth groups to share their environmental initiative, green team activity, or service project with the GEF community and beyond to foster enthusiasm and support for sustainability in K-12 schools nationwide.

Applications were submitted from across the country and included sustainability lessons, photos, video projects, and essays. From Princeton, Mass., the Thomas Prince School's Princeton PTA Green Team stood out as a model Green in Action project to GEF and its partner in sustainability efforts, Amtrak.

Through a well written description of their projects and a plethora of photos, the Thomas Prince School's Princeton PTA Green Team showcased their tremendous efforts to protect and improve the land around their school and educate their community on the importance of sustainability. There were a number of major projects taken on during the formidable first year of the PTA Green Team including awareness posters, organic gardening, a compost program, and a waste-free lunch initiative.

Roy Deitchman, vice president, environmental health and safety at Amtrak, commented on the efforts underway at Thomas Prince School: "The Thomas Prince School PTA Green Team did amazing work and we hope it will motivate and challenge other groups and schools across the country to protect the environment. It really is inspiring to see community leaders connecting with students and their local environments to promote and teach sustainability."

As part of their project, the PTA Green Team is encouraging a Trashless Tuesday in the lunchroom and are educating students about the importance of minimal consumption and waste creation with reduce, reuse and recycle posters around the school. By infusing all aspects of the school with sustainability, whether in the garden, the lunchroom, in the hallways, or on school grounds, this group has created a well-rounded approach to teaching and living sustainably at school.

Victoria Waters, CEO of GEF, was encouraged by their initiative and determination: "We are so impressed with how this group has taken sustainability to the next level at Thomas Prince School, all while maintaining focus on the educational benefits of sustainability for students. Their work today will have a great impact on their community and on the future of the school and its students."

GEF and Amtrak have a strong partnership to promote sustainability, and especially sustainable transportation, through educational resources and programs. Amtrak is the sponsor of GEF's I Ride Green Program, which offers free curriculum and resources about sustainable transportation to K-12 schools nationwide.

To read more about the Thomas Prince School or view other Green in Action projects, visit greeneducationfoundation.org/nationalgreenweeksub/green-in-action-contest/2012-winners/1205-thomas-prince-school-pta-green-team. To learn more about the free I Ride Green program, visit greeneducationfoundation.org/i-ride-green-sub.

About Green Education Foundation (GEF)
Green Education Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit organization committed to creating a sustainable future through education. Sustainability education provides educators with the real-world applied learning models that connect science, technology, and math education with the broader human concerns of environmental, economic, and social systems. GEF provides curriculum and resources to K-12 students and teachers worldwide with the goal of challenging them to think holistically and critically about global environmental concerns and solutions.

Become a member for free to gain full access to GEF's comprehensive library of standards-based lessons and activities at greeneducationfoundation.org. Join the sustainability education conversation by following GEF on Twitter ( @ ) greenedufdn and on Facebook at facebook dot com/greenedufoundation dot

About Amtrak®:
Amtrak is America's Railroad®, the nation's intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A record 30.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2011 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates intercity trains in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of services. Enjoy the journeySM at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.

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