Education and Environment Reconsidered: St. Phillips Academy, Newark

This weekend we attended an open house at St. Phillips Academy in Newark, sponsored by Green Home NYC, an organization dedicated to ‘facilitating the adoption of sustainable building methods and materials by owners of small residential and commercial buildings in New York City [and surrounding areas].’ With vibrant colors throughout the building to emulate the progression of hues from earth to sky, St. Phillips Academy is truly a beacon of light in the midst of darkness. An independent school serving students in grades K-8 throughout Newark, St. Phillips Academy not only sets a high standard for education but also boasts being a LEED Silver Certified facility.

Aeroponic growing system in Science Lab.

The program at St. Phillips manages to marry traditional elementary education with principles of sustainability into the curriculum. One of the most revered features of the St. Phillips Academy building is the PSE&G Outdoor Learning Center. The outdoor learning center is a green roof built on top of the schools’ gymnasium. It features raised beds for growing produce while the entire surface acts a catch basin for rainwater, an important part of the school’s drainage system. With lush green lettuces and hearty turnips growing in the garden, the green roof is a multifaceted learning space. Students learn about the five senses from working in the garden, tending to garden plots also serves to foster a sense of responsibility amongst St. Phillips’ students, and students expand their palates by trying new fruits and vegetables they may not try at home.

Blackboard in Cafeteria

The produce grown on the roof of St. Phillips Academy is just one component of the schools’ closed food system. Food grown on the roof of St Phillips Academy is served as a part of students’ daily lunch. Lunch at St. Phillips is not your standard mystery meat and milk as most U.S public schools serve on a day-to-day basis. Meals at St. Phillips are comprised of largely organically grown foods served family style and each student is designated a task to contribute to cleaning up everyday. Plasma screens in both the cafeteria and the lobby display information about the schools energy uses that are recorded by an internal computer system that is connected to the solar paneling located in the rear of the school, just above the PSE&G learning center.

Entry to PSE&G Outdoor Learning Center (solar panels on left)

St. Phillips' approach to education is second to none; it provides its students with a well-rounded education teaching traditional subjects and life skills using “green” elements to tie it all together. Students who would ordinarily slip through the cracks of the public school system are given a chance to thrive and often go on to some of the nation’s best preparatory schools and colleges. For more information about St. Phillips Academy visit the website: http://www.stphilipsacademy.org/

Newark Arts Parade!

This was the 3rd annual Newark Arts Parade. A variety of community groups, schools, and city organizations participate in the parade to help promote a positive image for the city. ORNG Ink also joined in the celebration this year, and it was a great learning experience. As you can see from the pics there was some really creative artwork made and it brought a little bit of color and excitement to the streets on an otherwise standard Thursday afternoon. This is a fun event and a good way to support the community, we hope to participate again next year!

Here's some more pics:

Rock Paper Scissors

Hat City Kitchen Cooks Up Rock-Paper-Scissors
50 gather for national competition spot

--West Orange Patch

By Karen Yi

July 24, 2010 Fifty people gathered Saturday afternoon at Hat City Kitchen, 459 Valley St., for The Orange's first rock-paper-scissors, RPS, tournament.
Two different tournaments were hosted, one for adults and the other for kids under 18. More than a dozen competitors from the New York tri-state area attended the event.

Mike Cicora, of Iselin, won the adult tournament and qualified to compete in next year's World Rock Paper Scissors Society championship in Toronto. There is no qualifying competition for kids.

The competition was hosted by Hat City Kitchen, HANDS Inc., University of Orange and the Orange Recreation Department.

Watch the video for complete details.

http://westorange.patch.com/articles/hat-city-kitchen-cooks-up-rock-paper-scissors-competition#video-846704

Mike Cicora of Iselin, center, earned a trip to Toronto for the World Rock Paper Scissors tournament after he won Saturday’s Hat City competition in Orange. He is joined by, from left, referee Shawn Ring, second-place finisher Diana Henge, third-place finisher Brian Chappell and event organizer Bryan Bennet.

Scissors Cuts Paper!

Tony Galento Plaza Day!

Tony Galento Plaza Day was a success!
Bright and early, commuters at the Orange Station were treated to free coffee and newspapers. Lunchtime found us chilling out in the heat in our christened Picnic Nook with music as well as fun pictures with Tony Galento and his bear. At rush hour, commuters were again treated to delicious samples from local restaurants: catfish fritters with spicy yogurt sauce from Mandeville, miniature beef patties from Golden Krust, and a fresh sampling of vegetables (basil, peppers etc) from local Garden State Urban Farms greenhouse. We handed out maps of local restaurants in the surrounding area, aptly named "Two Tons of Yum" and collected over 100 surveys of what commuters and residents wish to see in the Tony Galento Plaza and station.

Imagine Tony Galento Plaza

Imagine Tony Galento Plaza:

Right now Tony Galento Plaza is mostly used as a parking lot. But if we could keep the same amount of parking places AND have a beautiful plaza, what would you like to see in the plaza?

RPS: the Rules

So I have heard round the watercooler, "I don't how to play Rock Paper Scissors", or "I suck at RPS". Well one can not suck at RPS! It's statistically impossible! (ok that may not be true)
In this week leading up to the 2010 Hat City Rock Paper Scissors Tournament, held this Saturday July 24th, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, and check back here for tips and strategies.


Our first tip: Rock Paper Scissors Rules.
Using a count of Rock Paper Scissors Shoot, or 1, 2, 3, on the fourth beat extend your choice of either rock (a fist), paper (flat hand), or scissors (peace sign, sideways)

Rock beats scissors

Scissors beats paper

Paper beats rock.

Winner has the best hand, or best 2 out of 3, etc.

If you don't have tickets yet for 2010 Hat City Rock Paper Scissors, click here.

HatCityRPS: BUY TICKETS HERE

BUY TICKETS HERE