Cobble Hill

A ‘green sweep’ for Cobble Hill’s P.S. 29

Squadron presents proclamation to environmental champs

March 2, 2015 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
State Sen. Daniel Squadron presented a New York State Proclamation to P.S. 29 for environmental accomplishments at their Green Awards Celebration Friday. Photo by Lauren Young
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State Sen. Daniel Squadron presented a New York State Proclamation to P.S. 29 John M. Harrigan School at their “Green Awards Celebration” Friday morning in Cobble Hill. The senator’s proclamation recognizes P.S. 29’s extraordinary record of environmental stewardship and sustainability, along with their “green sweep” of recent honors.

P.S. 29 was awarded this year not only with the Department of Sanitation’s coveted Golden Apple Award for being the top recyclers in New York City schools, but also with the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA’s Green Flag Award.

The Golden Apple Award asked students to identify recycling problems at the school and find solutions to improve them, winning P.S. 29 a sum of $10,000. The Green Flag Award is the National Wildlife Federation’s Foundation’s highest Eco-Schools honor, and required P.S. 29 students to implement “Seven Steps to three Eco-Schools “Pathways” to sustainability (Energy, Consumption and Waste, and School Grounds) – involving the entire school community

Students worked on a number of green projects at the school, including installing recycling bins, making signs reminding teachers to turn off lights and power down electronics; planting and caring for the school vegetable and fruit garden; and starting a pollinator garden.

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“We are so humbled and honored to win the Eco-Schools USA’s Green Flag award,” P.S. 29 principal Dr. Rebecca Fagin said in a statement. “This recognition is truly a tribute to the extraordinary effort of our science teacher, Tina Aprea-Reres; building manager, Carlos Hosking; parent volunteer, Rhonda Keyser; and our stellar student Green Team Leaders representing student voice across all grades.”

“We are proud of the example set by the students, teachers, parents, and staff at P.S. 29,” Emily Fano, New York City outreach manager for NWF’s Eco-Schools USA program, said in a statement. “This award demonstrates P.S. 29’s commitment to sustainability and environmental literacy and places the school among an elite group of schools across the country that are improving their schools by reducing waste, saving energy, greening school grounds, and nurturing student-scientists through hands-on learning.”

P.S. 29 students worked on a number of green projects at the school. Photo by Cynthia CarrisSquadron’s proclamation reads, in part: “The students of P.S. 29 have taken a ‘bite’ out of pollution and landfills… P.S. 29 The John M. Harrigan school and The P.S. 29 Parent-Teacher Association are worthy of our highest respect and esteem.”

In 2012, Senator Squadron and his colleagues worked with the P.S. 29 Parent-Teacher Association to allay health and safety concerns involving air quality, construction and asbestos abatement, and they recently worked together to ensure repairs to the school’s auditorium.

At the ceremony, Squadron thanked PTA Co-Presidents Jessica Henson and Kristin MacQuarrie, former PTA President Rhonda Keyser, Principal Rebecca Fagin, the faculty and students. 

Photo by Cynthia CarrisAlso in attendance Friday morning were 200 student Green Team members, NWF mascot Ranger Rick, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Councilman Brad Lander’s Constituent and Education Liaison Vicki Sell.

Photo by Cynthia Carris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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