Winslow Township Middle School Receives 11th Annual Environmental Community Service Award

Winslow Township Middle School in Atco, NJ, 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 is Academy of Notre Dame in Villanova, PA. Each school received a $5,000 honorarium to advance their environmental programs.

At the Winslow Township Middle School in Atco, NJ, teacher Ross Cruz developed an environmental STEM course that mirrors the community farms by involving students in planting in their classroom. With the honorarium, they hope to convert the school’s courtyards into community farms. Currently, students have created sustainable hydroponic systems in their classroom where they test the nutrients in the system and have plants, fruits and vegetables growing throughout the year. Using an

Engineering-design process, they solve real world environmental-based design challenges ranging from repurposing non-recyclable K-Cups into seedling starter pots to using household items to create hydroponic systems that can grow plants in areas with limited water and land use.

Cruz said, "We are doing amazing things in Winslow Township Middle School. Thanks to the generous contribution from 6ABC, Wawa, and Manko, Gold, Katcher, & Fox, we will be able to purchase the materials needed to convert our unused courtyards into outdoor classrooms that everyone in our school, from science to music, can benefit from."

Since the program’s inception, more 20 schools in the tri-state area have been recognized for their outstanding programs. Last year’s winners were the George W. Nebinger School in Philadelphia won for their school-wide campaign – “Go Green—One Team One Planet”. 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.

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 and Lincoln High Schools 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 were 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.