Sustainability Community Spotlight Feature

Available throughout the school year.

We would love to give your community recognition for your successes. If you would like to request a community spotlight feature through the Sustainability Office, email sustainability@ocps.net. Recognition can include any of the following:

• Social Media Posts from OCPS Sustainability
• Featured content in our all-OCPS newsletter
• Special visits and recognition from OCPS Sustainability
• Marketing and PR materials

Student Sustainability Advisory Council (SSAC)

Challenge documentation open all year long, as you complete sustainable projects.

Deadline to complete: May 1.

The district-wide SSAC works together to implement real change in their school’s policies to reflect our district’s sustainability plan. Up to 2 student representatives with 1 supporting teacher or staff from each high school along with the Sustainability Office, creatively collaborate via monthly meetings and district support throughout the school year in ways to reduce their school’s solid waste, focus on water and energy conservation, and sustainable transportation while improving total health and wellness within their communities.

During the school year, every chapter competes to win the interscholastic SSAC Challenge with awards from $500 - $2000 for those that place. The Annual competition varies year to year, depending on the needs of the district. SSAC school chapters have the opportunities to compete in annual sustainability competition and winning school's environmental/eco-club earn:

• 1st place - $2,000.00
• 2nd place - $1,000.00
• 3rd place - $500.00

This program is funded by district recycling rebate funds. Award amounts indicated above may be reduced if rebate funding for the program is not provide sufficient.

Please email sustainabilty@ocps.net if you would like to join the SSAC community on Canvas or simply would like to learn more.

Green Schools Recognition Program (GSRP)

Deadline to submit: Last day of post-planning.

This program honors and recognizes schools in our community that are doing sustainable things across many sustainable initiatives. Schools document their annual progress in the Green School Application. There are many opportunities for schools to be awarded monetary rewards through this program.

To learn more about opportunities, please visit the Green School Recognition Program page. Email sustainability@ocps.net if you would like to request your school's application AND to join our Green School Canvas Community.

Sustainability Champion Award

Nominations Open: Mid-February.

Nominations Due: Last Friday in March.

This award is a cash prize given to OCPS staff who are nominated within their community. The money awarded will be paid into the employee's paycheck. This prize recognizes OCPS employees for going above and beyond in growing a sustainable culture within OCPS. 

Nominations must be from a peer or supervisor. Self-nominations are not accepted.

There are two sets of Sustainability Champion awards: one for instructional staff and another for non-instructional staff. Applicants will be scored against those in their set. Four winners are selected from each set. Prizes are taxable income, as follows:

• 1st place - $3,000.00
• 2nd place - $2,000.00
• 3rd place - $1,000.00
• 4th place - $500.00

Nominees can be an individual or a team. Winning individuals receive the full prize and winning teams will divide the award evenly amongst the team members. For example, a first place team of two people would receive $1,500 each.

Complete the Sustainability Champion Nomination Form before the deadline. Printable copies of the application with additional instructions are available for download here. Digital submittal is preferred, but not required and will not impact scoring. 

Waste Reduction Competition

Available throughout the school year.

Annually, all OCPS schools are invited to participate in a waste reduction competition. This competition is meant to be a fun and engaging way for students to understand their trash & recycling habits while practicing math (from basic counting to trends and analysis). This program provides valuable data to help further improve the OCPS recycling program. Learn more on the Recycling & Waste Reduction Page.