In observance of Earth Day on Wed., April 22, North Cross School students will use funds saved from a 14 percent reduction in electrical consumption to purchase and plant a maple tree on campus.

The day will begin with a ceremony recognizing students, faculty, and staff for exceeding the Headmaster’s Challenge by reducing electrical consumption by more than 10 percent between the first day of the winter term on Dec. 2 and April 1. Students will gather on the lawn between the Carter Athletic Center and the game field at 8:30 a.m., when Headmaster Timothy J. Seeley will address the entire student body. With help from Upper School Teacher and Community Service Director Malcolm Douglas, who is leading the School’s effort to reduce its carbon footprint, will plant a ceremonial tree along the line of existing trees at the rear of Willis Hall. The tree will be purchased using funds raised by the student organization SAVE (Students Actively Volunteering for the Environment). The SAVE organization has been raising money by selling NCS aluminum drink containers. These containers are permanent and are intended to reduce the amount of throw-away plastic bottles.

The 14 percent reduction in energy savings has saved the School an estimated $3,000. In order to meet and surpass its original goal, the School has implemented a variety of environmentally friendly practices. These practices include the use of eco-friendly supplies and materials across campus, an on-campus paper recycling project in all campus buildings, and campus-wide grey days held every other Friday, in which all rooms on campus are encouraged to turn off the electric lights.

Additionally, students will be treated to an ice-cream bar at lunch to celebrate their success.

The efforts to “go green” this year are part of an initiative instituted by Seeley when he took over as the Headmaster in July 2008.

-Laura Neff-Henderson