October 14, 2016 (North Bergen, N.J.) – Students in the Environmental Science Academy at High Tech High School spent a day working the gardens of Jersey City’s Washington Park, thanks to a grant funded by the HCST Foundation, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director.
Instructors Samantha Dorio, William Goold, Shelly Witham and Cathy Yuhas chaperoned twenty-six students, ranging in grade from freshman to senior, on the structured learning experience at Washington Park. Students and teachers, along with members of the Washington Park Association community and local law enforcement agents from the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department, worked side by side. Together, they pulled weeds, trimmed shrubs, edged lawns and planted trees throughout the park’s Learning Garden. Much of the work, which also included mulch spreading and bulb planting, was to prepare the garden for winter.
The event was aided by Washington Park Association advisor Nick Caballero who explains, “The event brought students together with law enforcement as well as the diverse Washington Park community. Our gardens thrive with the help of students and community, including those members of the North District precinct and Hudson County Sheriff’s Department.”
President of the HCST Foundation Mr. Daniel Gans commends the event: “The Washington Park community is vibrant and essential, and we are happy to help connect our students to a local environmental community.”
Frank J. Gargiulo, HCST District Superintendent, said, “I’m proud to see the variety of community members coming together for this project. We have our Environmental Science Academy students working alongside police officers in an unexpected but vital setting. This is truly a community effort.”
Executive Director Linda J. Quentzel adds, “This event helped make a lasting connection between the HCST Foundation, High Tech students, and the Washington Park Association. It is a connection we are proud to be a part of, and that we hope will continue to benefit both our learners and the community at large.”
