2011 Poster Contest The VEC held its Annual Poster Contest "Idle Free Verona" on October 5th. Verona Public Elementary School Students submitted 130 posters with compelling messages such as: "Don't Drive Your Car-You Can Walk That Far!", "Keep Our World Magical-Stop Idling", "Change The Future-Walk To School" and "Save The World, Because You Can't Buy A New One". This contest started in 2009, this is its third consecutive year. All 2011 posters were exhibited at the Verona Public Library and at all four Verona Public Elementary Schools. Did you know that an idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour? Vehicle exhaust causes allergies, cancer, asthma and bronchitis. Up to 25% of NJ school-aged children are asthmatic. Idling Is Also Illegal in New Jersey. So please "Turn The Key-Be Idle Free!" (Click on the pictures to enlarge). School Exhibits and Winning Posters
Laning Avenue School
  F. N. Brown School   The children came up with very creative messages such as “Do not drive our rainbows away”, “Don’t bully the Earth”, “Be an Idol, No Idling”, “Not all clouds are beautiful” (referring to pollution), “Give your engine a rest…Make our air the best”, “Be Idle Free to Save Energy”, “Here is the Scoop: We Don’t Idle in Verona!” and many more. “Don't drive our rainbows away”On November 1st at the Town Hall kids sent a clear message about idling, don't. It was the Award Ceremony of the contest "Idle Free Verona", open to elementary school students. 2010 Idle Free Verona poster contest winners
Pictured from left: Sydney Theilmeier from Forest Avenue School, John Rosinski from Brookdale Avenue School, Sarah Cole from Laning Avenue School and Kelly Esposito from F. N. Brown School. Also Councilmember Bob Manley, Mayor Teena Schwartz, VEC Chairman Gerard Shimonaski, Councilmember Jay Sniatkowski and Deputy Mayor Frank Sapienza. The Verona Environmental Commission held its annual Idle Free Verona poster contest on international Walk to School Day, October 6. This year close to 100 students from all four Verona public elementary schools participated with wonderful artwork. All posters were exhibited at the schools and at the Essex County Environmental Center (621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland). An idling vehicle emits 20 times more pollution than one traveling at 30 miles per hour! So please turn the key, be idle free and help us to spread the word! Mark your calendar: Next International Walk to School Day is scheduled for October 5, 2011. For more information please visit Walk to School USA.  Picture at top, Forest Avenue School students during their Walk to School Parade.
Verona, October 7, 2009.Elementary Schools in Verona celebrated International Walk to School Day by walking together. Students promoted safe walking and participated in the poster contest "Idle Free Verona". The weather, far from ideal, cooperated at the end and Walk to School Day was a success! Pictured above, a group of very enthusiastic students and parents with Principal Lanzo at F.N. Brown School.  Children brought plenty of beautiful posters to participate in the "Walk to School-Idle Free Verona" contest. Above, Brookdale Avenue School students posing with a very original double poster!  Laning Avenue School students, above, arriving to school. We have been told that their girl scouts daisies teamed up to draw their posters and we guess they earned some petals too!  Above, fourth graders from Forest Avenue School didn't need to open their umbrellas during the walk. Their smiles shone all the way.  Pictured above Mr. Sampson, Superintendent of Schools, leading a group of students and parents towards Brookdale Avenue School. Great job everybody!  |  On November 7th at the Town Hall kids sent a clear message about idling, don't. It was the Award Ceremony of the contest "Idle Free Verona". Pictured from left are the contest winners: Sara Sexton (F. N. Brown School), Jackson Seawright (Brookdale Ave. School), Maya Golebieski (Forest Ave. School) and Geena Klinger (Laning Ave. School). Also Councilmember Bob Manley, Councilmember Jay Sniatkowski, Mayor Frank Sapienza, Council Member Michael Nochimson, Council Member Kevin Ryan (VEC Liaison) and VEC Chairman Gerard Shimonaski.
Winners received $50 and a certificate signed by the mayor. Congratulations!      Pictured here, Forest Ave. School Principal, Jeffrey Monacelli with students carrying posters during "Walk to School Day" celebrations. This year pedestrian safety tips were introduced before walking to school together. Why promote walking and bicycling?
  Students' artwork exhibited at the schools.  This is a selection of some of the many wonderful students' artwork. Parents and teachers, thank you for supporting this program!      And the Winners were... Nicole Thompson from Brookdale Avenue School, Sara Marriott from F.N. Brown School, Jake Maisano from Forest Avenue School and Veronica Valera from Laning Avenue School! Mayor Teena Schwartz talked about the importance of reducing air pollution and gave children their award certificates. Winners also received an Eco-friendly water bottle and a DVD “Schoolhouse Rock Eart" 2009 edition for each of the participating schools. Pictured, Councilmembers Bob Manley, Ken McKenna and Jay Sniatkowski; VEC Chairman Jerry Shimonaski, Deputy Mayor Frank Sapienza and Mayor Teena Schwartz; contest winners Jake Maisano, Nicole Thompson, Veronica Valera and siblings. Unfortunately Sara Marriott was sick but her father attended the ceremony on her behalf. The display shows all 4 winning posters. |
