Education Roundup for the Week Ending October 12, 2012
SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) today issued this week's Education Roundup of education-related announcements of public interest.
CDE to Participate in Green Ribbon Schools Award Program
The CDE will participate once again this year in the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools award program. The award recognizes schools that are taking a comprehensive approach to greening their campuses.
This includes environmental learning and positive environmental and health impacts. The first step is to apply to be a state nominee, and, if selected, the second step is to provide additional information for the nominee package that will be forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education.
Application reviews will be based on the applicant's demonstrated progress toward the goals of each of three Green Ribbon School "pillars":
- Pillar I: reduce environmental impact;
- Pillar II: improve the health and wellness of students and staff;
- Pillar III: provide effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.
On Wednesday, October 17, the CDE will host a Webinar to provide helpful hints on how to complete the application. For more information, please visit the Webinar Web page.
Most Local Educational Agencies in California are Tobacco Free
All 58 county offices of education and 75 percent of California's 1,037 school districts are now certified as Tobacco-Free School Districts by the CDE. The list of agencies is on the CDE's Tobacco-Free School District Certification Web page.
The designation means the local educational agencies are committed to addressing the public health issues associated with the dangers of tobacco use. Also, the prohibition of tobacco use on agency property helps protect students, staff, and visitors from the environmental consequences of tobacco use.
The certification is necessary in order for local educational agencies to apply for Tobacco-Use Prevention Education Program funds that are designed to prevent and reduce tobacco use among school-age youth.
The certification process is conducted by county offices of education and the CDE. As part of the process, local educational agencies must meet four criteria under state law. The four criteria are: adopting and establishing policies that prohibit tobacco use; communicating that policy and enforcing it; posting "Tobacco Use is Prohibited" signs; and offering tobacco cessation opportunities to students and staff.
For more information on California tobacco prevention efforts, please visit the CDE's Tobacco-Use Prevention Education Program Web page.
The voluntary adoption of these policies is part of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson's Team California for Healthy Kids Initiative to provide all students with a safe and healthy environment at school.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Recalled Peanut Butter to be Destroyed
No Reported Cases of California Students Affected
SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) today announced that any Sunland, Inc. peanut butter received by school districts from CDE Distribution Centers, commercial manufacturers, and Commodity Supplemental Food Program agencies will be destroyed after the federal government issued a recall order. There are no cases reported of California students being affected by the product.
The peanut butter was purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the National School Lunch and Commodity Supplemental Food Programs. About 2,072 cases of Sunland, Inc. peanut butter affected by the recall were sent to 320 school districts throughout the state. Another 23,040 cases were shipped to six California food banks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration put the product on hold October 5 while it investigated the product for potential Salmonella contamination. The peanut butter has been held at school sites, food banks, manufacturers, and distribution centers awaiting instructions from federal officials.
Agencies were advised today to take an inventory of all recalled Sunland, Inc. peanut butter and destroy it. Individual school districts that sent the recalled peanut butter to food processors for later use should notify the processor to destroy their product. Individual school districts that purchased the peanut butter products commercially are responsible for its destruction.
For more information on the recall, please visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
Web site. Additional information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.
Web site. Additional information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.# # # #
Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100