Link Elementary Wins Clarkstown Environmental Excellence Award

Clarkstown town officials have chosen Link Elementary School to receive this year’s Environmental Excellence Award.

The school will be recognized at the May 5 Town Board meeting. A birdhouse will be dedicated in honor of the school and installed at the Congers Trailway at a later date.

“The Town of Clarkstown is a leader in environmental initiatives from purchasing to policy to public education,” said Supervisor Alex Gromack. “This award gives us the opportunity to recognize those in our community, like Link Elementary School, who share our dedication to our environment. I congratulate Principal Cuccia, the staff, parents, and especially the students for their innovation and commitment to our environment.”

The Town received numerous applications after soliciting nominations of people and institutions who have contributed to environmental preservation, beautification, and improvement within the Town of Clarkstown. Also considered, was the nominee’s involvement as a volunteer or as a coordinator in Town environmental programs, and any innovative programs or measures the nominee had taken or developed to better the Town’s natural environment.

Here’s what officials said about Link, an International Baccalaureate World school:

The parents and staff of Link Elementary encourage students to take responsible actions that demonstrate their respect and appreciation for humanity and the environment. Throughout the year, as an extension of their learning, students initiate and perform a ‘Student Action’ that makes a difference in their life, the lives of others, the community, or the environment. During March and April, in honor of Earth Day, these actions focus on the environment and range from planting flowers, replacing the use of Styrofoam plates in the cafeteria and School District, educating classmates on dangers of plastic bags in environment, and volunteer work with animals. The school’s ‘Green Link’ program has the goal of promoting environmental education through monthly themed events and projects.

For the past five years, Link has worked collaboratively with its PTA and Keep Rockland Beautiful to bring Earth B.E.A.T. into the school. Most notably, Link Elementary created a ‘Children’s Peace Garden’ at the school. This garden has become an essential part of the curriculum and school day as well as another way for its students to support the surrounding community. They developed a ‘Donate a Row to the Hungry’ program, where students harvest the vegetables and give them to those in need of food in our community.

“I am pleased to recognize Link Elementary School, for their dedication to teaching children the importance of improving the environment in Clarkstown and all around us,” said Councilwoman Shirley Lasker. “The staff, parents and students at Link are true role models in our community.”

All residents and media are welcome to attend the recognition ceremony.

PHOTO: Link PTA Co-President Gina Kelly, Councilwoman Lasker, Samantha McDermott, Olivia Kelly, Supervisor Gromack and School Principal Francine Cuccia/contributed