U.S. Department of Education Names Providence’s D’Abate and Spaziano Elementary Schools as 2024 Green Ribbon Awardees
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Providence Public School District (PPSD) is proud to share the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) announced Friday that five Rhode Island school communities have been designated as 2024 Green Ribbon awardees by the U.S. Department of Education, including two PPSD schools: William D’Abate Elementary School and Frank D. Spaziano Elementary School! The prestigious designation is awarded to schools for their commitment to high-quality sustainability practices in their facilities and environmental education. Recipients are nationally recognized as some of America’s most successful educational institutions in reducing environmental impact and costs, improving health and wellness of students and staff, and providing effective sustainability education.
“Congratulations to all five of our schools, and especially our two schools in Providence, on this incredible achievement. We are thrilled to see the transformation of Rhode Island schools across our state and are committed to creating more environmentally friendly, 21st-century learning spaces,” said RIDE Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Environmental awareness and literacy are key to a successful learning environment, and the National Green Ribbon School recognition serves as a reminder that our state is making an impact on improving real-world learning. In Providence, we will continue to work towards ensuring that 100% of students are able to learn in high-quality learning spaces by 2030.”
“The Providence Public School District is committed to providing our students with an education that extends beyond the classroom walls,” said Providence Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “Receiving the Green Ribbon Award affirms our commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable environment where students can learn and thrive. We’re thankful for the state’s support in helping us construct more 21st-century schools that consider our environment and inspire our students to reach their highest potential. Congratulations to William D’Abate and Frank D. Spaziano elementary schools!”
Opened this fall, both D’Abate and Spaziano are new Providence elementary schools that showcase the District’s efforts under the state intervention to raise the percentage of students learning in high-quality learning spaces from just 5% to 100% by 2030. Entirely carbon neutral, the new Spaziano Elementary School replaced an outdated and dilapidated 70-year-old building and was ranked previously one of the poorest state facilities in the Rhode Island and is now a leader in energy efficiency. The modern facility featuring collaborative classrooms and breakout spaces; a gymnasium; media center; cafeteria; and pre-kindergarten, STEAM and special education facilities. The school also has an improved air filtration and ventilation system as well as features to reduce water use.
At D’Abate Elementary School, the reconstruction of the 40,000 square facility now offers students and staff shared learning spaces, a 21st century library/media center, a pre-kindergarten wing, and an elevator tower for increased accessibility. The facility includes energy efficiency systems, enhanced filtration, water efficient fixtures, and low emitting materials. Providence Public Schools now have five Green Ribbon Schools with Nathan Bishop Middle School, Classical High School, and Providence Career and Technical Academy earning the designation in past years.
PPSD and RIDE are hard at work investing in upgrading school buildings, classrooms, and learning spaces across the district. The D’Abate and Spaziano projects are part of a $500+ million long-term facilities plan to upgrade Providence Public Schools over the next eight years. The goal being that all Providence students can learn in beautifully renovated school buildings and classrooms that are ready for 21st century learning.
Rhode Island remains the top state in New England for Green Ribbon Schools with a total of 23 awards and is the top state in the nation for Green Ribbon Schools per 1,000 schools.
