ISC-Choueifat Recognized Among Greenest Schools on Earth
The Global Coalition for Green schools is an initiative of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization that aims to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated. The “Greenest School on Earth” is an annual competition that recognizes K-12 schools that exemplify how sustainability can be integrally woven into the infrastructure, culture, and curriculum of a school. In order to be considered for the award, participating schools are evaluated in three categories: the school’s impact on the environment, its positive impact on occupant health and performance, and the ecoliteracy of its graduates. ISC-Choueifat performed well in all three categories.
Like all SABIS® Network schools, ISC-Choueifat is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and champions a number of recycling programs through the SLO® Social Responsibility Department. In fact, the school’s student newspaper is printed entirely on recycled paper collected on campus. ISC-Choueifat also works closely with local organizations in support of their environmental missions. One such example is the school’s cooperation with an organization that collects plastic bottle caps for recycling. For each ton of caps collected, the organization provides a wheelchair that the school can, in turn, donate to a local family in need. This initiative is a perfect example of how ISC-Choueifat students learn to protect the environment and give back to their community.
ISC-Choueifat also is also actively engaged, in impacting the health and performance of its community members. Located in the mountains, rich with fresh air and far from city pollution, ISC-Choueifat offers its students and staff a healthy environment in which to live and work. Large windows in the campus buildings allow students to enjoy plenty of light and fresh air and reduces the need for air conditioning. The school also recently inaugurated its very own school garden and offers healthy meal options in its campus cafeteria.
The emphasis placed at the school on protecting and preserving the environment has a lasting impact on its students. ISC-Choueifat students graduate with an acute awareness of their role in creating a sustainable environment. Indeed, it was an ISC-Choueifat alumnus, Ibrahim Kronfol, who initially involved his alma mater in the “Greenest School on Earth” contest in the first place. Ibrahim Kronfol is a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Accredited Engineer who has been certified by the USGBC to assess and recognize best green building strategies and practices.
“The fact that we were acknowledged among top schools around the world is wonderful recognition of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and educating a greener generation,” said Mr. Ghassan Abdl Baki, ISC-Choueifat School Director.
For more information about ISC-Choueifat, visit iscleb-sabis.net.
The Global Coalition for Green Schools recently recognized the International School of Choueifat (ISC-Choueifat) in Choueifat, Lebanon, as one of the “greenest” schools on Earth. The recognition came as a result of the school’s efforts over the past five years to create a safer, healthier, and greener educational environment.
