Earth Day 1999 was especially significant for students, staff, and administrators at the Sachem Central School District located on New York’s Long Island. Under spring skies, students at Grundy Avenue Elementary School were joined by local dignitaries for a tree planting ceremony, as Sachem became only the second school district in the nation to complete the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Buildings program.
The award presentation recognized a substantial energy savings program initiated by Sachem, the third largest school district in New York state, which serves 15,000 students in 16 schools and 1.5 million sq ft.