District Schools Recognized for Sustainability Achievement | |
The School District of Palm Beach County is excited to share the successes of three schools recognized at the state and regional levels for their commitment to environmental education, resource conservation, and sustainable school initiatives.
Sandpiper Shores Elementary School received a Green Apple designation through the Florida Green School Designation Program for advancing sustainability practices. Students created daily green tips to promote environmentally responsible behavior on campus and restored a native butterfly garden to support local habitat while creating outdoor learning opportunities.
Conniston Middle School received a new Green Apple designation for completing a comprehensive Green Practices Audit and developing a Sustainability Action Plan to guide future environmental initiatives and resource-conservation efforts.
Frontier Elementary School was named a 2025 State-Level Green Ribbon School Honoree by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools. Frontier ES is recognized for its K–5 Environmental and Animal Sciences Choice Program, designation as a Certified Guy Harvey Conservation School, and strong emphasis on outdoor learning. Frontier ES' Green Team leads recycling and energy-conservation activities, and prioritizes health and wellness initiatives such as a student relaxation room and salad-themed classroom events.
| | | | | Sandpiper Shores Elementary | | HL Watkins Middle and Palm Beach Lakes High Host Presenters from
TLC Engineering Solutions | |
More than 100 students in grades 6 to 8 at HL Watkins Middle School participated in an interactive STEM learning experience led by professional engineers from TLC Engineering Solutions. Palm Beach Lakes High School's Biotechnology students also engaged in this hands on STEM learning and career exploration opportunity.
TLC engineers shared insights into career pathways within the engineering field, including mechanical, civil, electrical, and environmental engineering, electrical systems, and sustainable building design. Students learned about the education and skills required to pursue engineering careers, the types of projects engineers work on, and how engineering solutions impact the world around them.
A key highlight at both schools was TLC's hands-on learning challenge, where students worked directly with the engineers to apply STEM concepts in real time. Using dry spaghetti and marshmallows, students designed and built the tallest and strongest free-standing structures possible while testing creativity, problem-solving skills, and core engineering principles.
| | | 5th Annual
Sustainability Symposium | |
A full house of 60 Green Champions, teachers, and District staff attended the 5th Annual Sustainability Symposium on October 17, 2025, at FPL's Manatee Lagoon. This full-day professional development event began with guest speakers, including Superintendent Michael Burke, School Board Members Erica Whitfield (District 4) and Edwin Ferguson (District 7), and FPL's Director of Community Engagement, Kate Cotner.
The symposium featured ten community partner displays, giving attendees direct access to local organizations that provide school-based environmental resources and support. In addition, hands on presentations by Manatee Lagoon, ANGARI Foundation, Everglades Foundation, Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, and The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County captured the the imagination and inspired participants to implement engaging instructional strategies with students.
This annual event continues to serve as an important opportunity for educators to network, build and reinforce skills, deepen environmental knowledge, and expand partnerships that enhance sustainability initiatives throughout District schools.
| | Recycle Right Mania Contest Winners | |
The School District of Palm Beach County is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Recycle Right Mania Contest, an initiative designed to improve recycling and waste diversion at high school football games.
Four participating high schools submitted recycling data from 13 home football games. Over 700 pounds of recovered material, including bottles and cans, plastic bags, cardboard and paper, and food waste, were recycled and diverted from the landfill. An estimated 0.564 metric tons of carbon emissions, which is equivalent to the energy needed to charge a smartphone 70,000 times, was prevented from entering the atmosphere. Approximately 2,309 kilowatt hours of energy and about 4,000 gallons of water were conserved.
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County and Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful will present awards two categories:
Most Recycled
- 1st Place ($1,500): Palm Beach Central (556 pounds)
- 2nd Place ($1,000): John I Leonard (88 pounds)
- 3rd Place ($500): Suncoast (58 pounds)
Highest Waste Diversion (Percentage of Waste Recycled)
- 1st Place and ($1,500): Palm Beach Central (91%)
- 2nd Place and ($1,000): John I Leonard (62%)
- 3rd Place ($500): Suncoast (34%)
Honorable mention, Royal Palm Beach High School, made a strong start in its inaugural year participating in the contest, contributing to the growing number of schools taking action to increase recycling efforts at athletic events.
The Recycle Right Mania Contest was sponsored by Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful and the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County.
| | Sustainable Schools Spotlight | | Palm Springs Elementary Explores Recycling Education | |
Students at Palm Springs Elementary participated in a hands-on recycling lesson through one of the Solid Waste Authority’s free K–12 education program, called In-School Environmental Lessons.
Students learned how paper is recycled into new paper by making their own sheets of recycled paper, gaining a practical understanding of the recycling process.
Students’ engagement in this lesson underscores Palm Springs ES' leadership in providing high-quality environmental literacy opportunities.
| |  | Crystal Lakes Elementary Student Recycling Champions | |
Crystal Lakes Elementary honored two students who demonstrated leadership and teamwork by putting together a rotating system of classroom recycling volunteers. This project increased the efficiency of the school's recycling program.
The students were nominated by Green Champion teacher Mrs. Deven Soto for their initiative in helping ensure recycling efforts were consistent and student-led.
In recognition of their efforts, the
Environmental and Conservation Services Department presented the student team with certificates of achievement and reusable water bottles during the school’s morning announcements.
| | | Christa McCaulife Middle
Celebrates America Recycles Day | |
Green Champion and Science Department Chair Corinne Nguyen organized a schoolwide outreach event to celebrate America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful that encourages people to learn about recycling and commit to improving their recycling habits.
The event featured display tables from community partners, including the City of Boynton Beach Go Green program, the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, and the District’s Environmental and Conservation Services' Sustainable Schools Initiative. Thanks to Ms. Nguyen's coordination and outreach, twenty student volunteers stepped forward to support the event, which is an impressive level of participation at the middle school level and a reflection of the culture of environmental stewardship on campus.
Community partners and student volunteers came together with the goal of helping the school community better understand what can be recycled and why proper sorting matters.
Ms. Nguyen's leadership contributes to a broader national effort. According to Keep America Beautiful, Americans throw away enough recyclable material each year to fill a 70-story building, highlighting the critical need for recycling awareness campaigns.
Christa McAuliffe Middle’s celebration of America Recycles Day demonstrates how dedicated staff leadership and strong student participation can be seeds of growth to strengthen recycling efforts across the District.
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Unwrap the Waves
Candy Wrapper Contest Winners
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Environmental and Conservation Services sponsored contest collection for participants in the FY26 Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Unwrap the Waves Candy Wrapper Recycling Contest.
The 39 participating schools collected 187 pounds of candy wrappers for recycling. This effort helps keep plastic waste out of waterways, reducing the amount of debris that can harm marine life and ocean ecosystems.
The top three schools in this year’s competition are:
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1st Place: Sandpiper Shores Elementary (27.3 pounds)
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2nd Place: Hidden Oaks Elementary (20 pounds)
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3rd Place: Cypress Trails Elementary (11.5 pounds)
The first and second place school will receive a recycled-content bench for their campus in recognition of their efforts. The third place school will get the chance to name a sea turtle.
Thank you to all participating schools for contributing to waste reduction and supporting sustainability initiatives across the District.
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| Environmental and Conservation Services Department1400 N Florida Mango Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 US | |
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