John F. Kennedy School in Ferndale Named Top Green School in Oakland County

John F. Kennedy School in Ferndale was named the No. 1 Green School in Oakland County on Wednesday.

It was among 173 schools throughout the county, including Roosevelt Primary School in Ferndale, recognized for earning the Michigan Green School designation. Representatives from the schools gathered Wednesday morning at the Oakland Schools campus in Waterford to receive an official Michigan Green School flag and a certificate signed by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Oakland Schools Superintendent Vickie L. Markavitch.

Schools must complete at least 10 of 20 "green" activities to earn the designation. Activities range from paper recycling to garden projects to the use of renewable energy.

The No. 2 and No. 3 Michigan Green Schools in Oakland County this year were University Hills Elementary School in Rochester and Derby Middle School in Birmingham, according to Michigan Green Schools coordinator Debby Dunn of Oakland Schools.

Principal Derek Adams said John F. Kennedy School's native plant and vegetable gardens, classroom and lunchroom recycling programs, and Green Team were among the factors that contributed to its selection for the honor.

"I think it is a reaffirmation of the hard work students do on a daily basis," he said. "It's all about educating them on lifestyle choices."

For more information on the Michigan Green School program visit the Oakland Schools website at www.oakland.k12.mi.us and click on “Michigan Green Schools” in the "Educators" column.