MONTICELLO, NY — Students throughout the Monticello Central School District engaged in “Helping Mother Earth” initiatives for Earth Day. At G.L. Cooke Elementary School, during lunch time, over 492 students participated by signing a pledge and placing their painted hand on one of the four banners to symbolize their commitment to environmental awareness. The pledge read: 

“I pledge by the show of my hand

To conserve water, to save energy,

To preserve our natural resources

By recycling and taking and using

Only what I need and to share with

My fellow citizens the responsibility

For a cleaner and greener community.”

Micheliene Gringas, a Mountaindale NY artist, sketched the outline for the canvases and mixed the paints prior to the cafeteria event. Evadne Giannini and Shanita Artson of Hospitality Green worked with the students to use their handprints to paint the artwork. In addition, Jane Sorensen, MCSD-USDA Project Liaison, treated each participant to a “spa” washing of his or her hands.

The four canvas paintings will be displayed in the Cooke Café for the enjoyment of visitors and the school community.