The U.S. Department of Education has launched a national award program called Green Ribbon Schools, which will award one school from each state who are exceptional in the fields of the environment, health and education. Only four finalists from California have been named and Grand View Elementary in Manhattan Beach, Grades of Green’s pilot school, has made the cut! Upon Grand View Elementary and principal Rhonda Steinberg receiving the news, Steinberg stated that, “although I am a proud recipient of this award, the real winners are my students, staff and parents. Together, we recognize that incorporating environmental education into core subjects provides students with a meaningful context for adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.” With the help of Grades of Green, Grand View has incorporated a multitude of green programs, including using almost 100% green-seal certified cleaning products at the school, reducing pesticides, starting an Earth Club, implementing a Green Queen and Go Green Challenge, offering Earth Tips, teaching kids how to pack Trash Free Lunches, creating a Zero Waste Team, encouraging kids to walk, wheel or bike to school via Walk to School Wednesdays, planting a Native Garden, and participating in Earth Hour to name a few.