MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee school is only one of 26 schools in the nation receiving a special honor.
Browning School in Milwaukee’s north side is a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon school. The recognition is awarded to schools and districts that prioritize sustainable practices and environmental education.
Browning is part of Milwaukee Public Schools and is located in what has been a long-standing food desert.
Raymond Unanka, Browning School principal, said the school saw an answer to the problem in their underutilized greenhouse. Through collaboration with partners like Sharp Literacy and the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, they were able to help take ownership of the community’s health and wellness.
Unanka said this award is an honor for Browning.
“Milwaukee Public Schools have always been looked down on as schools without any progress,” said Unanka. “I am so proud to be part of this.”
James Wilbern is the assistant executive director of the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. It serves as the lead agency for Browning and helps to support the educational process in after-school spaces. Wilbern said collaborations and partnerships are the key to success.
“The impact for the kids is uncharitable,” said Wilbern. “This is going to propel them for the rest of their lives. Every child who has been participating in our garden club has an honor in this Green Ribbon. Their future is bright and blooming, just like these plants and flowers.”
Gianna Holschbach is the coordinator for Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership. She said she works with the school’s partners, families and students to ensure success.
“This is what happens when we work collectively,” said Holschbach. “It’s super exciting to say that this is a win not just for the school, but for everyone.”
She’s working with many students, including Nadya Kirby, who is a third grader at Browning.
Kirby said her responsibilities after school range from watering and growing her own plants to feeding fish. It’s something she said she’s passionate about.
“I like nature and living things like plants and fish,” said Kirby. “Plants are like us, but they get water and dirt instead of food. I like to help out other plants because if they die, I get sad because they don’t get to live life out like we do.”
Mary Patscot is an educator with Sharp Literacy, and she also works firsthand with the students.
Through programs in the school’s greenhouse, students learn about aquaponics, composting, solar dehydration of food, urban agriculture, nutrition and food justice.
“I feel really proud to be a part of it by being a person who works in the greenhouse and with the students that get to enjoy this space,” said Patscot.
The Department of Education will hold a recognition ceremony celebrating Browning and the other winning schools and districts in August in Washington, D.C.
Browning school is one of six Wisconsin schools to receive the award. Eagleville Elementary Charter School, Forest Edge Elementary School, Tamarack Waldorf School, Unified School District of De Pere and University of Wisconsin-Platteville were the other schools to receive it.