As the 2024-25 school year comes to a close, I am reflecting on the meaningful connections and impactful partnerships that have produced numerous “wins” for the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) community.

Every school district is unique and the Green Schoolyards Action Network has developed a collection of templates, tool kits, and resources that are ready to be customized to fit the needs of school districts in the tri-state region.

I am excited to announce that I will be working with additional school districts in the Greater Cincinnati area to lead workshops and trainings for whole-district sustainability pillars that include: 1) Expanding & Maintaining Greenspace, 2) Green Workforce Development, and 3) Building a School District Wellness Policy Network.

I look forward to providing updates in the near future about the broad impacts of working with school districts across the region that aim at improving the academic performance of students, and the health and wellness of school communities which, in turn, exponentially have a positive impact on education, environmental, and food systems. Stay tuned for details about the Green & Healthy Schools 101 workshop that will be offered in September.

Key leadership from Cincinnati Public Schools, the City of Cincinnati, and partner organizations met in April to discuss important issues to sustain outdoor learning throughout the district. Through collaborative efforts in assessing what remaining schools are without outdoor learning opportunities, approximately seven schools have been identified for receiving infrastructure improvements by 2028. Prior to installing additional green infrastructure, the group discussed plans for maintaining the existing outdoor learning sites. Outdoor learning tiers are being established to classify the existing sites in order for school teams and partners to effectively maintain greenspace on school campuses.

Members from Cincinnati Public Schools Career and Technical Education Department, Ag Ed Educators, City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability, and workforce development partners met this month to identify priorities for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. The committee learned more about the new middle school Ag Ed Course that will be offered at Pleasant Hill Academy next school year. Additionally, Thanapat Vichitchot with the City of Cincinnati shared relevant findings presented in the newly released Cincinnati Green Workforce Landscape Analysis report to help guide skill-building and work-based learning in the district.

Transforming School Communities with Wellness: A Slow Food USA Tool Kit Walkthrough was presented on May 15th to a national audience of internal and external district stakeholders. The webinar recording is here. The webinar featured speakers from National Farm to School, Hamilton County Health in Cincinnati, Boston Public Schools, and Tool Kit author and Green Schoolyards Manager Cynthia Walters. The Local School Wellness Policy Toolkit serves as a catalyst for building a school district wellness network in local communities. The Tool Kit can be found here and the Spanish version here. For information about Wellness Network Development workshops and trainings, please reach out to Cynthia.

Cincinnati Public Schools Career & Technical Education Manager Michael Turner is a champion for Agricultural and Education teaching and learning. Turner leverages collaboration with the City of Cincinnati and partner organizations for advancing green workforce development in the region. His “kids first” mindset places students on a pathway toward success while approaching barriers to employment head on. Although one of the busiest school district leaders, Turner is a member of the Strategic Partnerships for Greener Schools and Ag Ed Workforce Development Committee and enthusiastically attends every meeting.

Turner has been instrumental in expanding the green career pathway at CPS by implementing a new middle school Ag Ed course at Pleasant Hill Academy. Micheal Turner serves as an inspiration for students, educators, and partners who are engaged in meaningful real world experiential learning.

Whether you have had a chance to view the Local School Wellness Policy Tool Kit or not, there are opportunities for you to get involved in the upcoming school year as an school district internal or external stakeholder. Here are some ideas, taken directly from the toolkit, on how to get involved in wellness planning in your school community:

Student: Start a group or club with a sustainability and/or wellness focus 

Parents/Individual: Contact schools directly to inquire about wellness-related volunteer opportunities

Environmental Education Partner: Contact the curriculum department to inquire about how to provide wellness related programming

Regional Planning Groups: Encourage the inclusion of the Local School Wellness policy in regional climate action plans

Cincinnati Public Schools Curriculum Department is on to something when it comes to activating outdoor teaching and learning! At the beginning of a new school year, school principals ask educators to join a committee, one of which is joining a wellness team. For the upcoming school year, the Curriculum Department is suggesting that the wellness team create a plan for using and caring for outdoor learning spaces especially if there is not an existing committee already dedicated to this work. Furthermore, the committee will be able to utilize the new CPS District Outdoor Learning Guide that will be available at the beginning of the new school year to support students and teachers.

Reply to this email to reach Cynthia, or for questions regarding membership, visit here or email membership@greenumbrella.org