The calendars will be distributed to 17,000 residents in January
In an effort to promote a sustainable community in Washington Township, the municipality will release its first Clean Communities Calendar in January, showcasing creative and unique artwork drawn by township elementary school students, who were awarded at last week’s council meeting.
Students in all seven of the district’s elementary school art classes, from kindergarten to fifth grade, were given the theme of clean communities and recycling to create pieces of art that could be featured in the 2018 calendars. After narrowing the entries to 200, two honorable mentions and 12 pieces of art were chosen anonymously and recognized at the Dec. 13 council meeting. The selected artwork will be on display in the hallway of the Municipal Building for residents and the community to view throughout the entire year, as well as distributed to more than 17,000 residents in the 2018 Clean Communities Calendar.
“It’s quite an honor because they’ll be displayed the whole year, and their pictures will be on the calendar,” Township Clerk Leo Selb said.
Selected students were recognized by council with a certificate in their name, as well as given a $25 gift card as an award. Additionally, two students were picked to have their artwork made into posters, which will be distributed to local businesses throughout the year. Poster winners were awarded with an additional $100 gift card.
The winning artists included: Mya Knight, poster winner, fifth grade at Hurffville Elementary School; Caroline Smith, poster winner, fifth grade at Bells Elementary School; Madison Fritzsch, fourth grade at Hurffville Elementary School; Karen Cao, fourth grade at Birches Elementary School; Henry Cao, second grade at Birches Elementary School; Lyla Messick, third grade at Wedgwood Elementary School; Ginger Carrasquillo-Hicks, second grade at Birches Elementary School; Ariana Cuevas, second grade at Hurffville Elementary School; Julianna Janetti, first grade at Bells Elementary School; Reese Garr, first grade at Wedgwood Elementary School; Genesis Cassell, kindergarten at Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center; and Elle Huston, kindergarten at Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School students Tamara Stewart, fourth grade, and Keira Petro, fifth grade, were also recognized with honorable mentions.
According to Mayor Joann Gattinelli, residents will be receiving their Shop Washington Township cards in the mail alongside the calendars in January. Shop Washington Township is a new tax rebate program for residents, rewarding commerce at local businesses with a partial refund during third quarter taxes.
In other news:
• Gattinelli presented a proclamation to Officer Gary Egizi, the “Santa Claus in Blue,” for his service in the newly implemented Shop with a Cop program, which took place on Dec. 5. According to Gattinelli, Egizi secured just less than $7,000 for the initial program from Walmart, local businesses and private citizens. With the assistance of six elementary school nurses, 12 children, as well as a family and an ill child being treated at CHOP, were selected for the program.
After a pizza party, children and Washington Township police officers, the “elves in blue,” purchased and wrapped Christmas gifts for their families at Walmart, while the children also had the chance to tell Santa what they wanted this holiday season. Egizi then returned to Walmart the next day and with the donations purchased the gifts the children had told Santa they wanted. The gifts were delivered to the children and their families on Dec. 11.
“[Egizi is] recognized for his contributions and continuous efforts in making Washington Township a great place to live and raise a family,” Gattinelli said.
• Gattinelli announced Officer Alyssa Arnold as Washington Township’s October Employee of the Month, Public Works Secretary Amy Falasca as the November Employee of the Month and Public Works Supervisor Ernie D’Orazio as December Employee of the Month.
• According to Councilwoman Angela Donato, the Washington Township Police Department’s K-9 unit is fully funded by contributions of the community. Therefore, K-9 Calendars, featuring Washington Township K-9 officers and their four-legged companions, are available for purchase for $15 at the Washington Township police station and Municipal Building.
• The next council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 27 at 5 p.m. The reorganization meeting will be held on Jan. 3 at 6 p.m.
