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Chester Middle School Students to Graduate From Summer Environmental Program

Release Date: 8/12/1999
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

CHESTER, Pa. -- Twelve middle school students from the Chester/Upland school district who spent their summer learning about the environment while tending a garden will graduate on Thursday, Aug. 12 from the Student Environmental Development Program (SEDP).

The five-week program, sponsored by the school district and the mid-Atlantic region of the Environmental Protection Agency, teaches inner city students about environmental issues that are prevalent in their urban communities. The participating students, who were nominated by teachers from the four middle schools in the district, developed a garden next to the General Kasmir Pulaski Middle School where they grew vegetables and flowers.

Chester mayor Dominic F. Pileggi and schools superintendent Sterling Marshall will be on hand for the graduation ceremonies that begin at 6:30 pm Thursday at the Chester/Crozier Community Hospital, 2600 West 9th Street in Chester. During the ceremonies, students will make presentations based on their gardening experiences.

Although this was the first year for the SEDP program in Chester, the program is modeled after the SEDP program that has been held in Philadelphia for six years.

"It is important that we educate youngsters about the environmental issues in their neighborhoods so that they can understand the importance of preserving the environment," said W. Michael McCabe, regional administrator for the mid-Atlantic region.