It was the heartiest Earth Day ever for Denver Public School's Ellis Elementary. The school was one of three nationally chosen by Earth Day Network, in partnership with Green Apple Festival and JP Morgan Chase, to receive a "Green Makeover" grant. This grant brought a number of improvements to Ellis, including solar panels to increase energy efficiency, native landscaping to reduce water usage on school grounds, and bike-racks to promote Earth-friendly means of transportation to the school. The school also will soon get a greenhouse enabling students to experience hands-on environmental learning. Ellis, with guidance from FrontRange Earth Force's Community Action and Problem Solving (CAPS) curriculum, has earned recognition as one of the most environmentally conscious schools in Denver.

Before school started on April 21, 2008, Ellis's southeast yard was an unwieldy mess of gnarled, brittle brown plants. With the first bell, kids stormed the yard, many grabbing metal rakes taller than themselves. By noon the space was cleared and covered with fresh mulch, along with 200 native, low-water plants. Like true project managers, the students put a lot into the planning.

"The kids used Earth Force's decision making process to pick the plants that we are using today," said Maggie Gaddis, a private landscaper in Summit County who works with Ellis. "They took ownership of the process."

For many students at Ellis - a school with a student population representing more than 30 countries and nearly as many different languages - it was the first time they dug in their "own" dirt.

"Most of these kids don't have yards. Many have never had the opportunity to do this kind of work before," said Rachel Gearheart, who teaches fourth grade at Ellis. "They are having a great time. The kids that don't like to get dirty are getting dirty. This is something they'll remember for a long time and be proud of."

Above the flurry in the dirt hung a band of eight new solar panels, a result of grant funding from the award and a dream from the students to have a more energy efficient school.

"The 'greening' of Ellis Elementary School will help to set a precedent for how schools can become more environmentally friendly," says Ellis principal Khoa Nguyen.

After lunch the students moved inside to host an Earth Day Fair. Tables lined the gymnasium with creative education about a variety of environmental issues. Students passed the knowledge along in the form of games and colorful displays. From water quality, to solar panels to increase energy efficiency, to composting cafeteria waste, there was a commitment to action.

Earth Day Network's school greening efforts aim to improve both the physical and learning environments, while also encouraging action against multiple environmental problems.

"All the research shows that a green school not only reduces impact on the environment, but also improves the well-being and academic performance of the students," said Earth Day Network's Education Coordinator Amelia Kissick. "This Earth Day, Ellis will not only be one of the most diverse schools in Denver, but also one of the greenest."

These efforts weren't the first time Ellis Elementary students focused on the environment and their school's role in keeping their community clean. Working with FrontRange Earth Force for three years, Ellis students, with help from their teachers, have become leaders in their community by completing over 16 projects to identify and improve issues the students have found in their local environment.

For more than a decade, FrontRange Earth Force has championed opportunities for educators and young people to have in-depth, hands-on learning experiences that serve to increase students' problem solving skills, knowledge of science and the environment, and community involvement. FrontRange Earth Force, with the help of Denver teachers and administrators, has reached more than 16,000 students in 85 schools and community-based groups throughout the Denver Metro area.

Although the plants were green, for one student they might as well have been the school colors. "This is a day to show our guests that Ellis is a great school," said fourth grade student Michelle Cable.

For more information about FrontRange Earth Force visit www.earthforce.org or call 303-433-0016.