Donald M.Austin - Newark Academy

These and other efforts to reduce the environmental impact
of our facilities and our behaviors will continue in the years
ahead. We are considering the installation of solar panels
and other ways to offset some of our energy needs. The
campus master planning process will reveal opportunities
to shrink the ecological footprint of the building and to
incorporate student learning about the building systems
and management. Through partnerships with the Passaic
River Institute and other schools within the watershed,
we will expand our study of the river and its ecology.
A HEALTHY INTERACTION
Increased understanding of the symbiosis of healthy natural
systems blazes the way toward an appreciation, too, of the
increasingly complex interplay of social and economic
systems upon which sustenance depends. NA’s sustainability
initiative aims in the coming year to highlight the interconnections
among myriad other pursuits in which we are
already engaged. Habitat for Humanity, Nation to Nations,
Girls for Girls, Ubuntu – these and other clubs help reveal
our connections to the experience of others, and provide
valuable opportunities to broaden our sense of the
relationships upon which depends the sustainability
of the world as we know it.
The concept is relatively simple: every choice
we make has far-reaching personal, social,
economic and ecological implications (not
unlike Physics’ Third Law of Motion!),
as depicted in the following diagram.
The diagram suggests the extent to
which “quality of life” results from ENVIRONthe
healthy interaction of the three
MENT
domains identified here. As we continue
to take seriously our environmental
responsibilities, we can also encourage the
“systems thinking” that identifies related issues
ECONOMY
QUALITY
OF LIFE
ECO FEST 2007
MAKING PEACE WITH THE
PLANET THROUGH EDUCATION
AND PARTICIPATION
Newark Academy science teacher and environmentalist
Debra Tavares created Eco Fest 2007 with the goal
of educating students about the earth and environmental
challenges, empowering students through
participation in activities to help the planet, and
increasing awareness throughout the community.
Last spring, the Newark Academy community
participated in a variety of games and performances
in celebration of Earth Day. Activities included the
screening of middle school student-made ecology
videos, tree planting and a dance competition.
Topics addressed in the videos and activities included
the reality of global warming, the importance of
community responsibility and awareness, and solutions
to current and future environmental dilemmas. The
middle school environmental club announced the new
“no idling” proposal for cars and trucks in the Newark
Academy parking lot. Funds raised from the sale of
reusable grocery bags and compact fluorescent
“eco-bulbs” went toward the purchase of 200 trees
which were planted at Newark Academy as part of
the “Forest Restoration Project.”
contributing to the balance. Educating with
sustainability in mind promises to prepare
our students to become the problem solvers
and visionary planners that our complex
world requires.
The interest and energy of students,
faculty, staff, parents, trustees and
HUMAN alumni continue to reveal myriad
HEALTH & opportunities to expand the reach
WELL-BEING
of NA’s Sustainability Initiative.
It all starts with changing a lightbulb.
Beyond the simple things, the
possibilities are endless.
NA NEWS fall 2007
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