Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is proud to announce that both Transitions Center and Millet Learning Center have earned official certification as Michigan Green Schools for the 2024-2025 school year. This recognition from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) celebrates the schools’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
Transitions Center and Millet Learning Center each achieved Green School status by completing at least ten environmentally focused activities across categories that included recycling, energy conservation, environmental protection, and student-led sustainability education.
Transitions Center earned its Green School certification through a wide variety of creative, student-led sustainability efforts. Students led weekly paper and cardboard recycling collections and supported a Styrofoam reuse program in partnership with the Saginaw Zoo. In their craft class, they reused materials such as reclaimed wood, donated fabric, and old clothing to create scarves, wreaths, and holiday trees. The school also transitioned to biodegradable lunch trays and implemented digital-first practices to reduce paper use in communications and IEP distribution. Students built birdhouses and native plant gardens, created environmental podcasts, maintained a school-wide recycling information display, and participated in community beautification efforts like “Spring Into Service Day.”
“These efforts show how our students and staff are not only learning about sustainability but actively living it,” said Brigette Uhrich, Principal of Transitions Center. “It’s powerful to see our young adults take pride in protecting the environment and shaping a better future for their communities.”
Millet Learning Center’s Green School certification reflects a deep commitment to environmental education and building-wide sustainability. Students and staff worked together on a variety of green initiatives, including a school-wide recycling program, reducing paper use through technology integration, and installing water bottle filling stations. The school also introduced a building-wide unit on alternative energy, upgraded to energy-efficient systems like HVAC and low-flow faucets, and established an animal habitat by building birdhouses for Hartley Outdoor Education Center. Students helped maintain raised garden beds with Michigan native plants and took part in the “Millet Zoo Crew,” supporting the Saginaw Zoo garden. An annual Earth Day event featuring a recyclable art fair and a dedicated Green School bulletin board further reinforced the school’s commitment to eco-conscious learning.
Julie Clauss, Assistant Principal of Millet Learning Center, added, “This recognition speaks to the hard work and heart of our entire school. Our students, especially those with exceptionalities, are proving every day that they can be leaders in caring for the world around them.”
Saginaw ISD leadership also emphasized the broader significance of this recognition.
“This achievement reflects the spirit of innovation and service that drives our work throughout Saginaw ISD,” said Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier. “Our students and staff are leading forward by modeling that environmental awareness and action belong in every classroom, every program, and every child’s learning journey, every day.”
As certified Green Schools, both sites will receive an official Certificate of Achievement and Michigan Green Schools window cling, with the option to fly a Green School flag on campus. Saginaw ISD encourages all schools in its network to replicate these programs for sustainable learning and practices.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Supervisor