Senate Resolution No. 1840

BY: Senator METZGER

COMMENDING the Warwick Valley School District for
having two of its schools designated as Green Ribbon
Schools

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
schools, districts and institutions of higher education which strive for
21st-Century excellence by highlighting promising school sustainability
practices and resources which reduce environmental impact and costs;
improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and
provide effective environmental and sustainability education; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Warwick Valley School District for having two of its schools
designated as Green Ribbon Schools; and

WHEREAS, This year, both Sanfordville Elementary and Warwick Valley
Middle School were among the 35 in the Nation named United States
Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools; and

WHEREAS, Designation as a Green Ribbon School by the United States
Department of Education is indicative of successfully identifying and
communicating promising practices which result in improved student
engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce
preparedness as well as reinforcing federal efforts to increase energy
independence and economic security; and

WHEREAS, The Warwick Valley School District, which had the only two
schools honored in the state, has been at the leading edge of green
education, sustainability and energy-efficient practices for several
years; its other schools, Park Avenue Elementary and Warwick Valley
High, received Green Ribbon awards last year; and

WHEREAS, As a Green Ribbon School, Sanfordville Elementary School
has been noted for empowering its students to be "green" leaders in the
school community; its Green Cub Club's third- and fourth-graders lead
classroom and cafeteria composting activities, and share their knowledge
with other students, often in public service announcements on video; and

WHEREAS, Sanfordville Elementary School's outdoor environment is
also notable; approximately 80% of the 120-acre school grounds is
devoted to ecologically beneficial uses, including an outdoor organic
vegetable garden, and a 3.6-acre pond and woodland area; and

WHEREAS, The School's biggest project is the 9,000-panel solar
array, powerful enough to offset most of the electrical costs for the
entire school district; it produces an estimated 2.9 kilowatt-hours of
power per year, and saves about $300,000 in electricity; and

WHEREAS, Warwick Valley Middle School is considered an environmental
beacon in the local community and beyond, offering seemingly endless
educational opportunities for its students; and

WHEREAS, Eighth-graders are required to participate in 20 weeks of
sustainability education; the School's Project Lead the Way sequence
offers classes in energy and the environment; green architecture;
robotics; and design and modeling; in addition, the District encourages
professional development so teachers can become experts in these subject
areas; and

WHEREAS, Sustainability is well-suited to the School Board's goals
of critical thinking, communication, problem solving and collaboration;
in one class, students work on the problem of an oil spill, testing
products, examining data and finding innovative ways to handle the
situation; and

WHEREAS, The Warwick Valley School District has continually proven
an impressive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting
enthusiasm for the quality of educational programs and opportunities
offered for the benefit of its faculty and students as well as for the
entire community; and

WHEREAS, The National Green Ribbon School status stands as a
resolute testimony to the special teamwork exemplified by Warwick Valley
School District's family of students, parents, teachers and
administrators, a community united by common goals and uncommon
expectations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Warwick Valley School District for having two of its schools
designated as Green Ribbon Schools, noting the significance of its
accomplishment, and recognizing the role such effective schools play in
shaping the quality of life in their community, State and Nation; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. David Leach, Superintendent, Warwick Valley Central
School.