2011 PACE Clean Air Schools Award Winners

The PACE Awards in the following categories are presented to exemplary schools, school districts and individuals who achieved success through the Clean Air Schools program.

PACE Award, Dr. Marlin Gottschalk Environmental Leadership Award: Evansdale Elementary

In 2010, Evansdale Elementary launched a Clean Commute Week, taking a comprehensive approach to reducing air pollution. During the 2010-2011 school year, the DeKalb County school participated in all three of the Clean Air Schools programs: Pool to School, Ride the Bus For Clean Air! and No-Idling. By incorporating curriculum throughout the year, safety patrols, students, parents and teachers were able to work together to boost community participation, ultimately reducing idling by 89 percent.

PACE Award, Clean Air Schools Champion of the Year: Deputy Brian Reents

Clean Air School champion Deputy Brian Reents garnered excellent community participation in Davis Middle School’s Clean Air Schools program during the 2010-2011 school year. By incorporating programs in the classroom and working closely with the school’s Green Club, the Rockdale County school reduced on-campus idling by 69 percent. A school-wide door decorating competition on air quality during Air Quality Awareness Week also helped the school raise awareness for its program.

PACE Award, Clean Air Schools District of the Year: Gwinnett County Schools

Gwinnett County Schools was an early proponent of the Clean Air Schools program, joining in 2007. During the last school year, nearly 50 percent of schools in the county implemented one or more program to improve air quality on school grounds. High participation from students and teachers coupled with the school system’s partnership with Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful helped the school district reduce idling by nearly 50 percent, the highest average of any school system during the 2010-2011 school year.