Kimbark Elementary Wins Award

SAN BERNARDINO>> Students at Kimbark Elementary have been recently recognized by the California Department of Education as a Green Ribbon School, a school that demonstrates exemplary achievement in three areas: environmental impact, student and staff health and wellness and environmental education. Kimbark was honored by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson at a ceremony held at Redondo Union High School on Friday, March 3. “These schools and districts serve as role models for their students in two important ways,” said Torlakson, who started his public service career as a high school science teacher and coach. “First, they manage their own facilities wisely by saving energy, conserving water and reducing their impact on the environment. Next, they provide innovative education programs that teach students about nature, the importance of clean air and water, and how to make good choices to preserve the environment for future generations.” Principal Mario Jaquez said, "as a magnet school with an environmental emphasis, Kimbark Elementary students have always focused on conservation as a way to reduce their impact on the planet." As a result of the recent drought in California, one of the two wells had dried up in the unincorporated, semi-rural community of Devore. Students, however, took the problem as an opportunity to conserve water. Aside from significantly reducing its water use by 92 percent from 2013 to 2016, Kimbark Elementary also cut its greenhouse emissions by 40 percent as part of the district’s energy conservation program. Plans are underway to decrease student’s reliance on plastic water bottles by turning to stainless steel, canteen-type bottles, Jacquez said. Kimbark students are spreading their concern for the environment across the district by teaching other students to recycle. Recently, fifth and sixth-grade students in the Kimbark Environmental Leadership Program, also known as KELP, visited Belvedere Elementary School in Highland to help children learn how to be better stewards of the environment.