The district has been working on a multi-year effort to respond to the SCUSD Board of Trustees’ requested actions through their Climate Change and Sustainability Resolution and Water Conservation Resolution. 

In fall 2019, SCUSD convened a group of high school students to create and present a climate change resolution to the Board of Trustees. Over the subsequent months, and despite the disruption of a worldwide pandemic and distance learning, the student-led group formed three subcommittees to work on sections of the resolution, work began to align the proposed actions of the resolution with the district’s new strategic vision and plan, and teachers joined the students to offer insights to proposed facts and actions highlighted in the resolution. 

The Board of Trustees adopted the resolution in spring 2022. In adopting the resolution, the board called for the formation of the district’s first Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Committee with students, teachers, administrators, and staff as members to develop indicators of progress in key areas, including the use of water, power, fossil fuels, recycling, and waste management, and to create a plan to identify recommended actions to be implemented. 

In fall 2023, the district and committee began work with its environmental technical assistance partner, Ten Strands, to utilize information from an environmental and climate action baseline assessment (completed in spring 2023) and data from the campus sustainability dashboard, and early implementation of projects from the draft environmental and climate action plan, to submit a California Green Ribbon Application.

The district is proud of its progress, the work of the committee, and the Green Ribbon recognition.

The Mountain View Whisman School District recently was named a 2024 California Green Ribbon Schools awardee for conserving resources while promoting health and environmental literacy. The California Department of Education names Green Ribbon Schools as those at the forefront of nurturing the next generation’s capacity for creativity and critical thinking, thereby equipping them to become effective stewards of our environment.

MVWSD is one of only a handful of California districts to receive the Gold level of the California Green Ribbon School Award. Gold award winners are just a few points under national designation.

Pursuing the California Green Ribbon Schools award is a reflective process through which MVWSD is becoming a greener, more environmentally conscious district. Our district passed resolutions and is pursuing regional and national certification that highlights our waste reduction and energy conservation. Our schools are powered by 77% renewable energy, are in the process of a three-stream waste management/reduction, have implemented solar, and are developing Outdoor Greening and Learning Spaces.