All News Releases By Date

 

Firms to be Honored as "United We Serve" Volunteers for Grandview C-4 School District’s Chemical Cleanout

Release Date: 09/08/2009
Contact Information: Beckie Himes, (913) 551-7253, [email protected]

---

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 8, 2009) - As part of the White House's "United We Serve" volunteer initiative, EPA Region 7 and Grandview High School will sponsor a special event Thursday to recognize two companies that recently donated staff and resources to collect and dispose of outdated and excess chemicals from science labs and custodial stocks at Grandview Middle and High schools in Grandview, Mo.

In April, President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which officially recognizes September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. This week’s event occurs in conjunction with this special day and embodies the motto: “I Remember. I Serve.”

On August 19, 2009, employees of Tradebe Pollution Control Industries, Inc. (PCI), of East Chicago, Ind.; Ash Grove Cement Company, of Overland Park, Kan.; and Grandview High School worked together to inventory, pack and transport chemicals from the school to PCI's facility in Indiana at no cost to the school district. The Missouri Center for Safe Schools, which was instrumental in the effort, will be assisting the school district to make its chemical management practices sustainable by training key school personnel.

EPA, which supports the White House's "United We Serve" initiative, estimates that 33,000 middle and high schools across the country have outdated or improperly stored chemicals onsite in maintenance closets or classrooms that could endanger students, school staff and surrounding communities.

The recognition event, scheduled for September 10 at Grandview High School, will include the Grandview High School Jazz Band, an appearance by Robodog (a robot engineering project by students assisted by local businesses), official recognition of the school and volunteer companies, and Eco Elvis. Students have been participating in volunteer projects and will demonstrate "green" chemistry experiments at the event.

WHO: Dr. Ralph Teran, Superintendent, Grandview C-4 School District; Shunton Hammond, Principal, Grandview High School; Dr. Ron Hammerschmidt, Director of Environmental Services, EPA Region 7; representatives from Ash Grove Cement Company, PCI, Missouri Coalition for Safe Schools, and others.

WHAT: "United We Serve" School Chemical Cleanout Campaign Recognition

WHERE: Grandview High School Auditorium, 2300 High Grove Road, Grandview, Mo.

WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

DIRECTIONS: From downtown Kansas City, Mo., follow Bruce R. Watkins Drive/U.S. 71 South to Grandview. Take the Main Street Exit, turn left (east). Proceed (across 71 South) on Main, approximately 1 mile; Main turns into High Grove Road. School will be on the left; park in front of the building.