- Skip to main content
- About Us
- Contact Us
- FAQs
-  Language Assistance ****    - English
  - español
  - 中文: 繁體版
  - Việt-ngữ
  - 한국어
  - Tagalog
  - Русский 

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

        - Student Loans
        - Grants
        - Laws
        - Data

# U.S. Department of Education Officials to Visit Northern and Central California as Part of Annual Green Strides Tour - "Schools for Climate Solutions"

# U.S. Department of Education Officials to Visit Northern and Central California as Part of Annual Green Strides Tour - "Schools for Climate Solutions"

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Assistant Secretary Glenna Wright-Gallo, Andrea Suarez Falken, special advisor for infrastructure and sustainability, and Naomi Stern, environmental sustainability and infrastructure impact fellow, accompanied by numerous other federal, state, and local officials, will visit San Francisco Bay Area and central California schools Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 19-21, as part of the U.S. Department of Education's annual Green Strides Tour.  

This year's theme is "Schools for Climate Solutions." As climate change continues to accelerate, schools and families are impacted. Climate change has disproportional effects on historically under-resourced and communities of color, perpetuating existing challenges for schools to maintain healthy learning environments. To address climate change, schools are working to both mitigate impacts and adapt to current and future changes. In addition, climate change education connects to all subject areas, prepares students for college and career pathways in the green economy, and provides opportunities for civic learning.  

Schools featured on this tour are embedding climate solutions into their facilities management and curriculum, ensuring that students and communities are healthy. As part of the tour, host sites will discuss their innovative practices and strategies for making schools resilient. The events will include visits to school buildings and grounds and conversations with educators and students regarding environmental education and place- and project-based learning and discussions with key facilities personnel about efficient and renewable energy technologies that help to both improve health and save districts money. 

Annually, the Green Strides Tour celebrates U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools' (ED-GRS) achievements, highlights their innovative school sustainability practices, and inspires other schools. The 2023 theme, "Schools for Climate Solutions," encompasses all three Pillars of this recognition, including: 1) reducing environmental impact and costs; 2) improving health and wellness; and 3) teaching effective environmental education. 

Since 2013, the tour has visited more than 20 states and over 200 school sites. Previous Green Strides Tours have included Alabama, southern California, Connecticut, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

Find more information on the ED-GRS recognition award here and on the ED Infrastructure and Sustainability initiative here.
   **Event 1****Who :**
Glenna Gallo, assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services, U.S. Department of EducationAndrea Falken, special advisor for infrastructure and sustainability, U.S. Department of EducationNaomi Stern, environmental sustainability and infrastructure impact fellow, U.S. Department of EducationAbel Guillen, deputy superintendent, California Department of EducationMalia Vella, deputy superintendent, California Department of EducationJuan Mireles, director, School Facilities and Transportation Services Division, California Department of Education Christopher Maricle, education administrator, California Department of EducationGeorge Garcia, program lead, California Green Ribbon Schools, California Department of EducationIda Clair, state architect, California Department of General ServicesSharon Olken, member, California State Board of EducationKim Pattillo Brownson, member, California State Board of EducationMarilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, mayor, City of AlamedaTracy Jenson, councilmember, City of AlamedaTrish Herrera Spencer, councilmember, City of AlamedaMarry Ann Dewan, superintendent, Santa Clara County Office of EducationMatt Wayne, superintendent, San Francisco Unified School DistrictRichard Ginn, president, Sequoia Union High School District School BoardJonathan Klein, partner, UndauntedK12Andra Yeghoian, chief innovation officer, Ten StrandsSharon Danks, chief executive officer, Green Schoolyards AmericaEstrella Risinger, executive director, California Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
**What :**
Green Strides Tour occurring this year in northern and central California
**When :**
Tuesday, September 19
- 8:15–9 a.m.:  Tour Launch Event  at A.P. Giannini Middle School, 3151 Ortega St, San Francisco.
- 9–10:45 a.m.:  San Francisco Unified School District ; A.P. Giannini Middle School, 3151 Ortega St, San Francisco and Sunset Elementary School, 1920 41st Ave, San Francisco.
- 12–1:10 p.m.:  Bay Farm School ; 200 Aughinbaugh Way, Alameda, Calif.
- 1:30–2:30 p.m.:  Edison Elementary School ; 2700 Buena Vista Ave, Alameda, Calif.
- 3:45–4:45 p.m.:  Bishop O'Dowd High School ; 9500 Stearns Ave, Oakland. 
- 4:45–6:15 p.m.:  Reception  at Bishop O'Dowd High School 

Wednesday, Sept. 20
- 8–9 a.m.:  Los Altos High School ; 201 Almond Ave, Los Altos, Calif. 
- 9:30–10:30 a.m.:  Woodside Priory School ; 302 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, Calif. 
- 11–12:45 p.m.:  Redwood High School ; 1968 Old County Rd, Redwood City, Calif. 
- 2:30–3:30 p.m.:  Altamont Creek Elementary School ; 6500 Garaventa Ranch Rd, Livermore, Calif. 

Thursday, Sept. 21
- 8:30–9:45 a.m.:  Quail Lake Environmental Charter School ; 4087 N Quail Lake Dr, Clovis, Calif. 
- 11:45–1:45 p.m.:  Merced Union High School District ; Atwater High School, 2201 Fruitland Ave, Atwater, Calif. 
**Where :**
Northern and central California schools. Site details and times above. 

**REGISTRATION:**

Members of the media and public wishing to attend specific tour events may email InfrastructureandSustainability@ed.gov.
   -  Tags: U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon SchoolsMedia Advisories
          How Do I Find...?    - Student loans, forgiveness
- Higher Education Rulemaking
- College accreditation
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- FAFSA
- 1098, tax forms
- More...
      Information About...    - Elevating Teaching
- Early Learning
- Engage Every Student
- Unlocking Career Success
- Cybersecurity
Search media advisoriesSearch for:      Find By Month    - February 2024 
- January 2024 
- December 2023 
- November 2023 
- October 2023 
- September 2023 
- August 2023 
- July 2023 
- June 2023 
- May 2023 
- April 2023 
- March 2023 
- All Media Advisories
             
*Our mission* is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
- Student Loans
- Repaying Loans
- Defaulted Loans
- Loan Forgiveness
- Loan Servicers
- Grants & Programs
- Apply for Pell Grants
- Grants Forecast
- Apply for a Grant
- Laws & Guidance
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- Civil Rights
- IDEA Website
- Data & Research
- Education Statistics
- Postsecondary Education Data
- ED Data Express
- Nation's Report Card
- What Works Clearinghouse
- Open Data Platform
- COVID Relief Data
- About Us
- Contact Us
- ED Offices
- Jobs
- Press Releases
- FAQs
- Recursos en español
- Budget, Performance
- Privacy Program
- Homeroom Blog
- Notices
- FOIA
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
- Security
- Information Quality
- Inspector General
- Whitehouse.gov
- USA.gov
- Benefits.gov
- Regulations.gov