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Watkinson School

Tag: sustainability

  • Watkinson School Conducts Vote to Change State Insect

    Watkinson School Conducts Vote to Change State Insect

    Watkinson School, a co-ed independent private day school for grades 6-12/PG, is pleased to announce that our Watkinson Environmental Coalition has undertaken the task of changing the Connecticut state insect from the non-native European Mantis to a native species. Eleventh grader Kate B-W. ’25 is the student leader of our environmental club, Watkinson Environmental Coalition, and the driving force behind the vote’s success. More than 1,500 people have already voted. 

    Kate says, “We encourage everyone to participate and to share this survey. Anyone who lives in Connecticut (including college students who go to school outside of Connecticut) can vote.”  More information on the insects, as well as the process is available on the voting form.  Voting ends on Tuesday, 12/19/2023. Once a winner is identified, all of the Watkinson Environmental Coalitions research will be given to Representative Mike Demicco by January, and he is then going to write it into a bill. From there, Representative Demicco will work to get the bill a hearing and vote.

  • Acclaimed Architect Visits Watkinson

    Acclaimed Architect Visits Watkinson

    Just prior to Thanksgiving, Bruce Becker visited Watkinson to speak with our Global Studies students. President of Becker and Becker Associates, Inc. (Becker + Becker), he is known for using a fully integrated approach to sustainable design, planning, financing, and development of buildings to meet the social, economic, and environmental needs of communities.  Becker’s good friend and Watkinson parent Rand Cooper (who arranged the visit) says, “Bruce is a champion of our need to have a different kind of energy future, and is plowing a path toward it for the rest of us to follow.”

    Becker spoke a lot about his most recent project, Hotel Marcel, in New Haven’s iconic Pirelli Building which is fully sustainable producing all of its energy needs through solar power and the use of innovative technologies.  Global Studies Director Jennifer O’Brien remarked that this visit was important for the students because, “…they were able to see that the path towards a climate-responsible future is not theoretical — it’s achievable right now. Through Becker’s work, our students heard how one person and a dedicated team can overcome preconceived ideas to address environmental, global public health, and sustainability issues. His visit was a masterclass in Global Studies.”

    Click here to learn more about our exceptional private school Global Studies Program.

  • Watkinson Private School Senior Is the Only Student Panelist on “Religious Communities United On Climate Justice”

    Watkinson Private School Senior Is the Only Student Panelist on “Religious Communities United On Climate Justice”

    Watkinson School, a private school for grades 6-12/PG in Hartford, CT, is pleased to announce that Elijah H. ’22 was selected to be the only student panelist participating in the virtual event “Religious Communities United On Climate Justice”. The panel was co-presented by the Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM) and Interreligious Eco-Justice Network (IREJN) and facilitated by IREJM’s Executive Director, Teresa Eickel. The event took place on Zoom on Monday, April 11, 2022.

    Elijah is a Global Studies Diploma student at Watkinson and is also the head of the school’s Jewish affinity group, called Chai.  He is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director for JYCM and event moderator, IREJN’s Executive Director Teresa Eickel, says he was chosen as a panelist because, “The younger generation has become so engaged in climate justice work because they can see very clearly the urgent need for strong and decisive action. Elijah’s work on climate justice from a diversity, equity, and inclusion perspective is so valuable because Black and Brown communities, as well as low-income communities, are impacted first and worst by climate change. We are grateful to have a leader like Elijah in the climate movement!”

    The other panelists included Rev. Kelcy G. L. Steele, Pastor, from New Haven’s Varick AME Zion Church;  Rabbi Joshua Hammerman, of Samford’s Temple Beth El; Senator Saud Anwar, CT State Senator – District 3; and Sr. Elaine Betoncourt, from West Hartford’s Sisters of St. Joseph.

    About the experience, Elijah said, “It was so gratifying to have been on a panel with such an esteemed group of people. I was inspired by everyone there as well as their thoughts on how climate justice intersects with their religion. I am glad I was able to provide a youth and Jewish perspective on this issue and I hope more people are inclined to get involved in the fight against climate change.”

    Watkinson School, a private school for grades 6-12/PG, is Hartford, CT’s oldest co-ed independent day school. To schedule a tour of our private school and to see what our students,  parents, and alumni have to say about their experiences at Watkinson School, click here. Our next info session for prospective families is May 5 at 9am.