Wingo Elementary recognized nationally for green work



            Graves County's Wingo Elementary in Graves County became one of only four Kentucky schools to be recognized nationally as a Green and Healthy School. A flag and banner was awarded to the school and accepted by sixth grade students Laney Coplen and Cheyenne McMullen, 6th grade teacher, Nakia Brown, and kindergarten teacher, Kris Buss.

             To earn this honor, Wingo Elementary students and staff worked together to complete nine inventories and nine SMART goals for each inventory.

            The school created a Green Team of staff members and C.H.I.E.F.S., an after school environmental club. Then the staff divided the inventories and worked on them at different grade levels before presenting the finished plans to the school.

            The inventories include green spaces, solid waste, water conservation, hazardous chemicals, air quality, instructional leadership, transportation, energy conservation, and health and safety.  After completing the inventories and SMART goals, Wingo implemented school improvement projects that focus on energy conservation, water conservation, instructional leadership,  green spaces, health and safety, and solid waste reduction.

            “Our goal for the next year is to become the first model KY Green and Healthy School.  To gain this status, we must continue to work on school improvement projects and submit progress reports, as well as offer to help other schools in the process of becoming a KY Green and Healthy School.” said teacher Nakia Brown.