By Alex Christodoulides
Gennaro, along with Mike Zamm, director of education at the Council on the Environment of New York City, and the students and principal of downtown Jamaica's Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, launched a new environmental education program Friday that teaches students about environmental concerns and trains them to assess conditions in their own neighborhood. Gennaro funded the program with a $10,000 grant to the Council on the Environment of New York City.”The students of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School have been involved in neighborhood cleanup and other community projects for years,” said Principal Dorothea Breen. “We were delighted when Council member Gennaro offered to fund the program at our school. The program is a perfect fit with our students' interest in both the environment and their community.”The grant allows 60 students, all of grades six through eight, at the school at 88-13 Parsons Blvd. to participate in the program once every week for one semester. The students learn about environmental issues such as air pollution, litter and noise pollution. Then they go out and examine conditions in downtown Jamaica. At the end of the semester, the students write reports about their findings and forward them to appropriate city agencies.”I'm thrilled to be able to contribute to the investment that these students – the leaders of tomorrow – have in their community and the quality of the environment,” said Gennaro. “The program is an exceptional educational program and the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School is an exceptional school. It's an honor to be able to bring them together.”Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.
