Schools

Rockwood Students Recognized by EPA for Anti-Idling Efforts

The agency has given a group of fourth-grade students at the Center for Creative Learning the President's Environmental Youth Action Award.

The following information was provided by the Rockwood School District:

Students in Kathy Nuetzel’s fourth-grade class have earned the President’s Environmental Youth Action Award by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 7. The award is in recognition of their work to raise awareness of dangers of vehicle idling and their efforts to curb this problem.

According to Karl Brooks, Regional Administrator for the EPA, these students have demonstrated awesome initiative and tremendous stewardship skills to minimize vehicle idling. “This project is increasing the public's knowledge about vehicle idling and motivating parents and bus drivers to shut off cars and buses in the school and bus pick-up lines," said Brooks. “Their Action4Air project is informing, raising community awareness about air pollution, and improving the health of children. This is an outstanding achievement in environmental protection by the students.”

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The students set two goals for their project: reduce vehicle idling on campus and spread the message. Students examined idling toolkits from around the country, developed an action plan to decrease idling and tracked their progress throughout the project.

As a result of their efforts, permanent anti-idling signs are now posted in the parking lot at the Center for Creative Learning and vehicle idling has significantly decreased.  In addition, students wrote an anti-idling proposal that was approved by the Rockwood Board of Education in February 2013. Rockwood is now the first school district in the region to have a vehicle anti-idling policy that will improve air quality, save money and improve the health of children.

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These students will be formally recognized by the Rockwood Board of Education during an awards ceremony held on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at Crestview Middle School. Congratulations! 


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