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Representatives from the National Wildlife Federation visited Piney Point Elementary School this morning to present the campus with the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag Award.

The Green Flag is the highest honor a school can receive from the NWF. Piney Point is only one of two schools in Houston to be recognized this year and one of three elementary schools in the state of Texas to receive the honor.

“Here at Piney Point, we truly live by our motto – Everyone Learning, Everyone Leading,” Principal Bobby Swaby said.

In order to earn a Green Flag, schools must pursue three different sustainability pathways, one of which has to be energy. Over the past three years, Piney Point has successfully completed six of the twelve pathways – energy reduction, consumption and waste, healthy living, schoolyard habitats, biodiversity, and sustainable foods.

“Students continue doing what you’re doing. We are so proud,” District VI Trustee Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca said.

In addition to the Green Flag, which was hoisted by students onto the flag pole, Principal Swaby and staff were given a proclamation from the City of Houston.

NWF Education & Outreach Senior Manager Marya Fowler said she was very excited about the day and praised the students for establishing a sustainability culture at the school.

“You are the future for this planet, and you fill our hearts with pride and hope,” Fowler said.

Eco-Schools USA is an international green school program designed to help schools educate students about sustainability by integrating learning and environmental initiatives. The program currently operates in 51,000 schools in 62 nations.