The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur Winner of the 11th Annual Environmental Community Service Award

The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is one of two winners of the 2016 Environmental Community Service Award, presented by Wawa, 6abc, and the environmental law firm Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP (MGKF). The goal of the Environmental Community Service Award is to recognize two schools (6th to 12th grades) for their outstanding programs that enhance and improve the quality of life in their communities as well as raise awareness of environmental concerns. The other school this year is the Winslow Township Middle School in Atco, New Jersey. Each school received a $5,000 honorarium to advance their environmental programs.

The Academy of Notre Dame was recognized for their contributions to the school's cross-curricular initiative, Project Stream. With the theme "Water Sustains All Life," every academic area, from science and mathematics, to art and religion, explored issues related to water scarcity, safety, and sustainability. Students in the religion department explored global issues of water poverty, while science and mathematics students conducted flow rate and water quality studies on the Darby Creek and monitored water quality in partnership with the Darby Creek Valley Association. Senior level art students studying microscopic water samples creating drawings similar to artist renderings seen in scientific textbooks. Middle school art students explored Gyotaku, a traditional Japanese art of printing images of fish from an actual fish.

Kim Eife, Academic Dean at The Academy, the faculty, administrators and students were thrilled to be recognized with the Environmental Community Service Award. Eife said, "As our environment continues change, it is more important than ever for our students to understand the vital role water plays in the health and future of our world, and I am excited to use this generous award to continue Project Stream for our next school year."

Since the program’s inception, more than 20 schools in the tri-state area have been recognized for their outstanding programs. Last year, George W. Nebinger School in Philadelphia won for their entire campaign – “Go Green—One Team One Planet”. Their outdoor learning lab benefits students, families, and the community. Other supporting programs are in partnership with the Delaware Estuary, the Philadelphia Water Department, Fairmount Water Works, and Philly Magic Gardens.

The Douglass School in Wilmington, Delaware, for at-risk students, was recognized for their S.a.L.T. program—Students Serving Society and Learning Too. This multi-level program includes planting and harvesting vegetables in partnership with Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids.

In prior years, the winner schools have been The Pathway School in Norristown, PA; South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia; Central Bucks High School West in Doylestown, PA; Abington High School in Abington, PA; Williamstown Middle School in Williamstown, NJ, Hatboro-Horsham High School in Horsham, PA, Charles F. Patton Middle School in Kennett Square, PA; Father Judge High School in Philadelphia; Epiphany of Our Lord School in Plymouth Meeting, PA; Abraham Lincoln High School – Horticultural Academy in Philadelphia; Interboro High School in Prospect Park, PA; St. Francis Xavier School in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia; Cedarbrook Middle School in Wyncote; Gateway Regional High School in Woodbury Heights, NJ; W.B. Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences, Philadelphia.; Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander University of Pennsylvania Partnership School in West Phila; Friends Central Middle School in Merion, PA; and Camden High School in Camden, N.J.

The individuals who judge the programs are all experts in the field of the environment and science. They are representatives from The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Fairmount Water Works, Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, and Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control along with someone representing each sponsor -- Wawa, 6abc, and MGKF.

About Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP:

Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox, LLP concentrates its practice in environmental, energy, and land use law and litigation. It represents clients ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to small, privately held enterprises, both in the Mid-Atlantic Region and on a national basis. Their commitment to education is manifested in the lawyers’ participation in environmental programs outside the office. MGKF is honored to be the top-rated law firm, since 2011, in the Top Workplaces surveys by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com and was recently recognized nationally as one of the top 20 Best Law Firms for Female Partners by Law360.

About Wawa, Inc.:

Wawa, Inc., a privately held company, traces its roots back to 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Owner George Wood started a dairy processing plant in Wawa, PA, in 1902. The milk business was a success, due to its quality, cleanliness and “certified” process. In 1964, George’s grandson Grahame Wood opened the first Wawa Food Market in Folsom, PA. Today the company operates more than 600 stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. Wawa is known for its branded products including award-winning coffee and freshly prepared hoagies. Wawa consistently ranks among Forbes’ top 100 privately held companies. “Wawa” is the Lenni-Lenape Indian word for flying goose.

About 6abc:

6abc Action News is the #1 local news brand in the tri-state, and the undisputed news leader for the past 35 years. 6abc.com, the official website of Action News, is also the #1 local TV news website in the market. WPVI-TV is the ABC-owned station serving the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys.

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