First a blue ribbon. Now the green.

Barrington Middle School, which has already been honored with a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon for academic excellence, was recently selected as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. 

The national award honors schools and districts for reducing environmental impacts and costs, improving health and wellness, and offering effective sustainability education. Only 27 schools from across the country were selected for the award this year.

“It’s a great recognition, not just for Barrington Middle School, but for the district,” said Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore. 

Along with the 27 schools selected, three learning centers, five districts and five post-secondary schools are also being honored with the Green Ribbon. 

Barrington Middle School is the newest school in the district — it is less than five years old. Officials designed and constructed the building with an emphasis on efficiency and the environment. 

According to the Green Ribbon report for 2021, Barrington Middle School achieves a 40 percent energy savings above the International Energy Efficiency Certificate 2009 baseline requirements. 

The lighting system inside the classrooms is specially designed to brighten or dim depending upon the available natural light entering the building. 

“The building has carbon monoxide, humidity, and ventilation detection devices in every classroom that monitor levels and adjust the amount of outside air being delivered to each space,” stated the report.

The report also cites the school’s recycling program, noting that it has continued throughout the pandemic. It also referenced the middle school’s relationship with Barrington Farm School, a community farm located near the corner of Middle Highway and Federal Road, as one of the many ways it promotes and participates in environmental and sustainable education. 

The school’s campus was referenced as well.

“The landscaping was developed using durable native plantings that flourish without heavy maintenance or irrigation,” stated the report. “Stormwater runoff from the site was reduced by using low impact development best management practices that include rain gardens and sand filters.”

The report also references the health and wellness of Barrington Middle School students and staff — opportunities for daily walking breaks outdoors, mindfulness and emotional intelligence training for staff, farm-to-table food options provided by the meals contractor, and a full-time nurse, psychologist and social worker on staff in addition to a counselor for each grade level.

Mr. Messore said part of the recognition also focuses on the environmental literacy provided throughout the middle school curriculum. 

The report cited the school’s Youth for Climate Action Group — student members work with the faculty to co-design lessons. 

“The group also reminds students and staff of climate change and what they can do to lower their environmental impact as a school community,” stated the report. “Parents with expertise in climate and the environment visit and work with the BMS students on environmental and sustainability issues.

“Sustainability and environmental concepts are woven throughout the three years of middle school science.”

The report referenced the middle school’s global classroom, which allows local students to communicate with environmental agencies and experts around the world. 

In addition to the global classroom, the school also offers outdoor classroom spaces… “and the campus abuts wetlands that classes use for learning spaces,” stated the report. 

The report highlighted the school’s efforts to promote and encourage students to conduct civic and community engagement projects.

“Some outcomes (of the projects) are removal of plastic trays and straws from school, composting at BMS, increased recycling, decreased paper consumption, the provision of socks and coats to homeless shelters, the donation of food products to local agencies, and the incorporation of speed monitors throughout town,” stated the report. 

Shared praise

Mr. Messore heaped praise upon members of the Barrington School Committee, the Barrington School Building Committee, administrators and specifically named Larry Trim, who was an official with the firm that helped design the school. 

Mr. Messore said the lessons learned through the construction of Barrington Middle School and its prioritization of efficiency and environmental sustainability is something the district would like the continue with its other school buildings.

He also said the Barrington School Department was currently interviewing vendors and plans to hire a company to conduct a facilities assessment for the entire district.

Barrington Middle School was the only school from Rhode Island to be recognized this year with a Green Ribbon; Portsmouth School Department was also honored as a district. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona praised the schools that were selected for the award.

“The pandemic has driven home the vital importance of school buildings and grounds; health and wellness; and hands-on authentic learning,” he said.