Al Martignetti, Head Custodian, Bates School; Toni Jolley, Principal, Bates School; Kris Scopnich, Chair, Secretary’s Advisory Group on Energy & Environmental Education; Matthew A. Beaton, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Bates Elementary School’s cafeteria recycling and food waste diversion project and Wellesley’s Food Service Director, Matt Delaney won three separate awards in State House ceremonies this month, sparking statewide and regional attention.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs presented the 23rd annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education to schools and teachers (K-12 ) across the Commonwealth for their outstanding efforts in furthering energy and environmental education initiatives at their schools. The Bates 5th grade recycling team, Principal Toni Jolley, and Custodian Al Martignetti were given 3rd honors and a cash prize.
This same group won an Honorable Mention Award from the Green Up New England Challenge. The Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation launched the Green Up New England Challenge this year in partnership with Project Green Schools and Walmart, aiming to develop Green Student Leaders in schools throughout New England for their energy, waste and water reduction efforts as well as best green school, community and sports practices.
Wellesley’s Food Services Director, Matthew Delaney, was honored with the Outstanding Green Community Hero for his vast sustainability efforts in Wellesley’s Cafeterias at the 2017 Green Difference Awards as well.
These initiatives at Bates and in the Food Services Department are make significant strides and thanks to the Waste Wise Wellesley Team, student and parent volunteers, Principals and custodians, similar programs are rolling out out across the district. Future programming options will address the urgent food waste problem and promote sustainable materials management. The goal of these award-winning efforts is to meet financial and environmental opportunities, cultivate civically-minded students, raise awareness about sustainability, and generate experience and knowledge that can encourage and help other groups to act.
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