JERSEY CITY, NJ--(Marketwire - April 16, 2008) -
What:
Students, parents, teachers and community leaders will gather to celebrate
"The Climate Academy" team's victory in the Lexus Environmental Challenge,
a national education program designed by Lexus and Scholastic to educate
and empower middle and high school students to take action to improve the
environment. The five team members, their teacher advisor and the school
will share $75,000 in scholarships and grants.
The team's entry earned one of two grand prizes awarded nationwide. Their
ambitious winning campaign was called: "Clean Cities Make Clean Oceans" and
was developed to educate all students in Jersey City public schools about
the impact of litter and pollution on the ocean. They also raised
awareness by stenciling the words "Dump No Waste: Drains to Ocean" on storm
drains near schools throughout the city. To accomplish their goals, they
partnered with the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority.
The teacher and students will share their story of their accomplishment and
how they've learned that they can make a positive impact on the
environment. The school also will be presented with a custom-designed
sculptural cistern, or rain catcher, that is both environmentally friendly
and will benefit the school as it collects rain water to be used for plants
on the school's campus.
When:
Thursday, April 17
11 a.m.
Where:
Academy I Middle School
Gymtorium
209 Bergen Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Who:
"The Climate Academy" Team -- Five 6th grade students
Joseph Osenenko, Science Teacher and Teacher Advisor, Academy I Middle
School
Jerramiah Healy, Mayor, Jersey City
Dr. Charles T. Epps Jr., Superintendent, Jersey City Public Schools
William DeRosa, Board Chairperson, and members of the JCPS Board of
Education
Grace Moriarty, Principal, Academy I Middle School
Dan Becht, Director, Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority
Patricia Mitchell, Brand Experience Manager, Lexus
Angie Banziger, Director, National Partnerships, Scholastic
Contact Information: Media
Lexus Environmental Challenge:
Holly Ferris
holly@ferriscomm.com
(562) 429-6456 or cell (562) 746-8461
Lexus Northeast PR Office:
Wade Hoyt
wade_hoyt@toyota.com
(212) 644-3424
Academy I Middle School:
Diane Strasz
ds@j-a-c.com
(201) 200-1080