Shirlee Green Preschool has been recognized as a 2026 Green Ribbon School Honoree, celebrating the school’s dedication to sustainability, student health, and environmental learning.
The recognition highlights schools that are making progress in three areas: reducing environmental impact and costs, improving the health and wellness of students and staff, and providing effective sustainability education.
As one of only a few Jewish schools across the country to have ever received the award, schools were selected for their leadership creating a healthy school for students, staff, and the environment. At Shirlee Green Preschool students and educators have led a variety of sustainability efforts.
“For the past 3 years, parents, teachers and students worked tirelessly to reduce waste, create healthy habitat for wildlife that share our beautiful campus, and teach sustainable habits to our young learners,” Brandi Kanoya, preschool director, said in the announcement.
Shirlee Green Preschool focuses on the education of young children, birth through 5-years-old, on the campus of Congregation Shaare Emeth in Ladue. With sprawling greenspace, butterfly and bird gardens have been planted in the play courtyard, the playground, and at the entrance to the preschool, with plans for additional habitat gardens underway.
Classes undertook a year-long project to benefit their school community, aligning with pro-active citizenship goals. A class of 3- and 4-year-olds constructed bird houses for local birds while another class of preschoolers worked to reduce bird collisions into campus windows. Collaborative project work helps each child learn successful ways to address community issues affecting local flora and fauna.
Inside the school, classroom composting bins collect 100% of food scraps from daily snacks and lunches. To further reduce waste, paper towels have been eliminated from all classrooms and learning spaces. And student lunches and snacks are served without the use of disposables.
Many Missouri schools pursuing sustainability recognition participate in Show-Me Green Schools, a statewide initiative that supports schools in reducing environmental impacts while engaging students in hands-on environmental learning and leadership.
Through these efforts, students are building the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions that improve their communities and the environment.