ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS

Earth Day is one of the Town of North Hempstead’s most cherished events. The seed was planted two decades ago has grown and flourished into one of the most successful & popular Earth Day programs in the nation. For over ten years it has brought residents of all ages and from all areas of the Town together in marking the importance of the environment. Last year, through the Town of North Hempstead’s Educational Outreach programs, over 5,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12th participated in Earth Day events.

The town’s Outreach Team provides visits to schools to educate the youth on the importance of the environment and sponsors Mock Town Board meetings so children learn the magnitude of local government.

• COMMUNITY CLEAN-UPS: As in past years the Town of North Hempstead, in collaboration with local civic groups, will be hosting community clean-ups at various locations around the Town. This year we will also ask the schools of our Town to join us in a community clean up. The Town will be happy to arrange a mutually convenient day for joint clean-ups. This program can be coordinated with the school’s PTA/PTO/SCA or student government/student clubs and is geared toward all levels of education.
  
  
• MOCK TOWN BOARD:  Learn how government works by becoming an elected official and creating environmentally themed laws for the residents of the Town of North Hempstead. During the Earth Day season, take advantage of this educational outreach program that is offered all year at Town Hall or at your school.
  
  
• RECYCLING REFRESHER LESSONS: A member of the Outreach Team will visit your school to engage students in a grade appropriate discussion about the importance of recycling. This fun and educational program is available all year round.
  
  
• GROCERY BAG DESIGN CONTEST: Over the past six years the Town of North Hempstead has gone into schools during the week of Earth Day and presented the “Earth Day Grocery Bag Project” to students. Students from all over the Town have participated in decorating paper bags that are borrowed from local supermarkets. These bags are then given back to the supermarket to be distributed to their customers. Thanks to the students their community gains a heightened awareness of the importance of our environment.
  
  
• LETTER WRITING CONTEST: Students in the elementary schools (grade levels K-5) are asked to answer the question “What are you doing to keep the Earth green?” through a letter/pictogram to Supervisor Jon Kaiman. The objective of this lesson is to instill the importance of our environment and community and to allow the student s to gain an understanding of the many things they can do to ensure a better tomorrow.
  
  
• T-SHIRT DESIGN CONTEST: One lucky student’s design will be chosen as the official design for the Earth Day t-shirt that the town produces each year. This shirt is proudly worn by all participants in the Community Clean-Ups.
  
  
• EARTH DAY POETRY CONTEST: Students of all grade levels are encouraged to express their feelings about the environment through the composition of an original poem.