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Schools

Red Bank Elementary Salutes the Sun

Friday's assembly educated students on the importance of solar energy, and their school's new solar panels.

Red Bank Elementary school is gleaming with bright young minds, but that’s not the only thing the school has going for it. It's also one of the only schools in the area saving money and energy with solar panels.

On Friday, an informational assembly was given on the 208 solar panels that were installed in December, courtesy of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as part of a settlement with Sunoco.

Violations of the New Jersey Air Pollution Control Act that took place at the refinery from 2006 to 2008, including emissions of air pollutants in excess of permit levels and failures to conduct emissions tests for equipment. The settlement led to the free solar panels to Red Bank Elementary, which is adjacent to the Eagle Point Refinery.

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“The kids are pretty excited about it,” said school principal Karry Corbitt.

Guests included Remington & Vernick engineer, Aninna Hogan and the Southern Region Manager for the Air and Hazardous Materials Enforcement of the NJ DEP, Richelle Wormley. Other local guests included West Deptford School District’s director of facilities, Myron Hall; director of technology and special projects, Thomas Tucci; Superintendent Kevin Kitchenman; Kristin O'Neil, director of curriculum, Board of Education member Donald Hicks and his wife, art teacher Gina Hicks, and Stephen Reed. Township Committeewoman Donna Szymborski and Township Administrator Eric Campo also attended the event.

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“We need to think green,” said Szymborski. “This is exciting, and we’re happy to be part of it.”

Decorations were strewn throughout the school in the form of colorful drawings and dangling sun creations in the lobby, hallways, and all-purpose room. Students piled into the all-purpose room wearing sun-shaped hats and colorful clothing.

Corbitt introduced engineer Hogan, who explained the concept of solar energy. While most students were unsure of what the panels are actually doing on their school roof, there were no shortage of eager hands and questions. One student simply asked why the panels were placed on their school. Hogan plainly answered, “They save us from having to buy energy,” and went on to explain renewable energy.

Students can learn more about the energy the solar panels provide to their school by visiting the kiosk in the main lobby. The kiosk projects weather conditions and exactly how many kilowatts are being transmitted through the solar panels. The kiosk will provide information that will work as a cross-curriculum vehicle, according to Corbitt.

With a need for more training on environmental awareness, “It’s a tremendous opportunity for the school to take advantage of these programs,” said Campo.

Sun-related music such as the Beatles' “Here Comes The Sun,” played while Principal Karry presented a slideshow of images on the solar panel project.

The educational assembly concluded with the selection of a random student to “turn on” the solar panel “light switch.” Second-grader, Aliya Rembelinski, 8, was all smiles as she flipped the switch. “It was really fun,” she said. The surprised Rembelinski said she’s excited about the solar panels and learning about how it’s going to help her school. When asked her favorite thing to do in the sun, Rembelinski said, “I like to play with my friends.”

Check out the school’s kiosk website here.

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