For Immediate Release Contact: Collin Nash or Sid Nathan
April 6, 2011 (516) 869-7794
Town Gears up to Engage Youth in Earth Day Programs
Manhasset, NY—Supervisor Jon Kaiman has instituted a broad spectrum of environmental initiatives including the award-winning Comprehensive School Recycling program, a composting cooperative, and an environmental store, to name a few.
Now with Earth Day 2011 approaching, the Town of North Hempstead is poised to do its part in the global campaign to encourage residents to live and act sustainably.
Coordinated by the Town’s Department of Community Services and its Outreach Team, a number of programs highlighting the importance of nurturing the environment will showcase North Hempstead’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
The programs, some of which provide visits by schools to educate youngsters on the importance of caring for the environment, include:
- COMMUNITY CLEAN-UPS: As in past years the Town, in collaboration with local civic groups, will be hosting community clean-ups at various locations throughout the municipality. This year we will also ask the schools in the Town to join us. The Town will be happy to arrange a mutually convenient day for joint clean-ups. This program can be coordinated with the school’s PTA/PTO/SCA or student government/student clubs and is geared toward all levels of education.
- MOCK TOWN BOARD: Learn how government works by becoming an elected official and creating environmentally-themed laws for the residents of the Town. The program is offered year-round at Town Hall but we urge schools to take part in the global environmental effort and participate during the 2011 Earth Day celebrations.
- RECYCLING REFRESHER LESSONS: A member of the Outreach Team will visit your school to engage students in a grade appropriate discussion about the importance of recycling. This fun and educational program is also available year round.
- GROCERY BAG DESIGN CONTEST: Over the past five years the Town has worked with students in the schools during the week of Earth Day on the Grocery Bag Project.” Students from all over the Town have participated in the program, decorating plain brown paper bags borrowed from local supermarkets. The decorated bags are then given back to the supermarket to be distributed to their customers. Through the students’ artwork, North Hempstead residents gain a heightened awareness of the importance of nurturing our environment.
- LETTER WRITING CONTEST: Students in the elementary schools (grade levels K-5) are asked to answer the question “What are you doing to keep the Earth green?” through a letter/pictogram to Supervisor Jon Kaiman. The objective of this effort is to instill in the students the importance of caring for the environment and giving them insight into the many things they can do to help protect it.
- T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST: One lucky student’s design will be chosen as the official design for the Earth Day t-shirt that the Town produces each year. Participants in the Community Clean Ups will be given T-shirts boasting the winning T-shirt design.
- EARTH DAY POETRY CONTEST: Students of all grade levels are encouraged to express their thoughts and observations about the environment by composing an original poem.
Residents can call 311 to receive more details on these programs.
Westbury Student presents Town Clerk Leslie Gross and Commissioner of Community Services Kimberly Corcoran with the Grocery Bag Project.