USD 232 is proud to announce that Mize Elementary has been named the Kansas Green School of the Year by the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE). This statewide honor recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional innovation, leadership, and whole‑school commitment to environmental stewardship and education.

Mize Elementary has been a designated Kansas Green School since 2024 and continues to set a high standard for sustainable practices and environmental learning across the district. Through a comprehensive, schoolwide approach, Mize integrates hands‑on environmental projects, cross‑curricular instruction, and strong community partnerships to cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility among students, staff, and families.

A highlight of Mize’s sustainability work is its vibrant school garden, which serves as a living classroom for all grade levels. Students plant and care for seedlings while learning about plant life cycles, conservation, and responsible food systems. The school further models environmental responsibility through daily composting of lunchroom food waste and robust recycling initiatives that include plastic bags, glue sticks, and markers.

Environmental learning at Mize is intentionally aligned with Kansas state standards and embedded throughout the curriculum. First‑grade students design fictional birds from recyclable materials while studying animal adaptations, and third‑grade students engineer a cardboard arcade from reused materials for the school’s annual Green Night celebration. This year, students in kindergarten through fifth grade explored sunflower biology and sustainability, harvesting seeds and creating custom seed packets for families to encourage environmental action at home.

Mize’s success is strengthened by meaningful partnerships with organizations such as the K-State Extension Office, Trane Energy, and KC Can Compost, as well as the support of dedicated administrators, teachers, families, and an engaged PTO. Through the Junior Master Gardener program and other collaborative efforts, students gain research‑based experiences that build scientific inquiry, leadership skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

USD 232 congratulates the students, staff, and community of Mize Elementary for earning this distinguished recognition and for modeling a sustainable approach to environmental education that extends far beyond the classroom.