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Croton-Harmon Schools to Participate in
Several hands shot up in Tara Carlucci's kindergarten class when asked the question, "Why do we recycle?" The answer: "Because we want to keep the earth clean." Indeed, we do.
Recycling and other environmental initiatives are a high priority for the residents of Croton-on-Hudson. That priority is reflected in the values of our district, which looks to the Environmental Sustainability Committee to share recommendations and develop programs.
Sustainability was also important to the School Lunch Committee that developed the Child Nutrition Program. With the Child Nutrition Program now fully operational, the Greenburgh Nature Center was invited into the schools to educate students about recycling, composting, and striving for zero waste.
The lessons, which will be tailored for each grade, began with some of the youngest in the district. Students at Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School participated in a hands-on lesson to identify specific examples of everyday items that can and cannot be recycled. Each child received an item such as a paper plate, aluminum foil or snack wrapper.
Students offered their ideas on the types of items that can be recycled and then learned to take time to think about what they put in the recycling bin. Why? Because some items, like a straw, clog the recycling sorters and are not compostable. To be sure the lesson stuck, the nature center representatives had the students do some sorting of their own.
The representatives from the nature center then explained how food and paper can be recycled into the nutrient-rich soil-enhancer we call "compost" when exposed to water, air, bacteria, fungi and macroinvertebrates, aka, worms. As you might expect, the worms were a big hit.
Greenburgh Nature Center will be at Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School and Croton-Harmon High School in the coming weeks to educate faculty, staff, and students on the recycling and composting process. The district will begin carting food scraps once students and teachers master sorting, with a less than 10% error rate, which generally takes a few months. The nature center is closely monitoring progress. Any family interested in composting at home is encouraged to contact the Greenburgh Nature Center by emailing lcohen@greenburghnaturecenter.org.
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Harry Chapin
Run Against Hunger
Receives Critical Support from
Croton-Harmon Schools
The statistics are staggering.Two hundred thousand Westchester County residents do not have access to enough food to live a healthy life. That includes 60,000 children. In an effort to raise awareness of this crisis and put food on the table, hundreds of Croton-Harmon School District students, teachers and family members are expected to participate in and volunteer for the annual
Harry Chapin Memorial Run Against Hunger
on Sunday, Oct. 20.
Croton-Harmon High School will serve as the headquarters and starting point on race day - not only for registration but for fun events such as pumpkin painting and face painting. The New York Masons will also have a tent in the driveway with their free
Masonic Child Safety ID program. Runners and walkers can choose to participate in a 5K Race and Walk, or a 10K Race or a 1-mile Children's Fun Run. Mike Grayeb, assistant race director for the Run Against Hunger, estimates that 75% of participants in the Fun Run and 5K are associated with the Croton-Harmon schools.
"The Croton-Harmon School District is a huge part of the heart and soul of our event," said Grayeb. "For years, members of the district have participated, volunteered and raised funds for the run. Without question, they are critical to our success."
As in past years, participants can expect to see a variety of Croton-Harmon teams among the 160 volunteers. The volleyball team will be on the course directing runners and walkers while the cheerleading team will provide encouragement along the route. At the conclusion of the event, the football team will break down equipment and clean up the race course. What's more, the Croton Teachers Association is a sponsor of the event.
To generate enthusiasm and show their support for the race, Middle School teachers have been wearing t-shirts about the run every Friday. Principal Michael Plotkin, who has participated in the 10K Race in past years, is impressed by the faculty's commitment to this event and how it brings the community together in support of a worthwhile cause.
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Mike Grayeb, assistant race director for the Run Against Hunger and Superindendent Dr. Deborah O'Connell
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Superintendent Deborah O'Connell is proud of the energy that the district puts behind The Race Against Hunger and finds it to be one of the most inspiring events of the year. "It is an opportunity for the community to come together to address the critical problem of hunger in our neighborhood. Our students are learning that when we work together we are a powerful force that can effect change," said Dr. O'Connell.
Another important connection between the Croton-Harmon district and The Run Against Hunger is their partnership in making the Child Nutrition Program a reality. Along with the Croton Caring Committee, The Run Against Hunger was among the founding members of the nutrition program, the goal of which is to ensure that each student has access to a healthy lunch every day.
Said Grayeb: "Working with the school district to establish a program that guarantees no child in any Croton-Harmon school will go without a healthy lunch is among our proudest achievements. We are honored to be a part of this effort and so fortunate to be part of the Croton-on-Husdon community."
Starting times for the 5K Race and Walk and the 10K Race are 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., respectively. The Fun Run begins at 11:45 a.m. and each child participant receives a commemorative medal.
1 Source: Feeding Westchester.
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It's Fire Prevention Week
The Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department rolled into the
Carrie E. Tompkins Elementary School to remind students of
what they can do to stay safe:
- Plan and practice an escape route
- Test your smoke alarms
- Choose an outdoor meeting place
- Practice home fire drills
The Croton-Harmon School District thanks the Croton-Harmon Fire Department for taking the time to teach us these valuable lessons and for all that they do for our community every day.
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Important Dates
Yom Kippur - Schools Closed
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Think. Create. Reflect. Respect.
Challenging all students
to be critical and creative thinkers.
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