Salesian High Schools' Care for the Environment

By Mrs. Amy Stockinger, Office Support Manager, Province Offices of Vocations and Youth Ministry

(New Rochelle, NY – May 22) – The Salesian Congregation continues to encourage all works to intentionally participate in the area of integral ecology, which focuses on addressing environmental, economic, social, cultural, human, and daily life concerns. Salesian High School and Don Bosco Preparatory High School are responding to this call through several initiatives.

Mr. Bill Aiello explained that at Salesian High School (SHS), "We now have three native plant gardens on campus, with plans for a few more over time this year. The plants and labor were donated by an alumnus and his wife, with some help from the school's National Honor Society. These gardens are meant to attract pollinators, and become pathways for the birds, bees, and butterflies as they travel." In addition, SHS has installed solar panels on the roof of their athletic center and refill stations for reusable water bottles to replace plastic water bottles.

Mr. Robert Sellers shared that Don Bosco Preparatory High School has a club named The Dirt Brothers whose mission "is to learn about native plants, educate the wider Bosco community, and transform both the Bosco campus and community to a life-giving and sustaining environment by getting Dirty and inspiring others to do the same." Their current projects include "two large beds on the backside of Savio Hall and a small triangle in front of Immaculata with native plugs donated by The Pollen Nation nursey in NJ."

Laudato Si’ Week 2023 is currently taking place (from May 21-28). This year’s theme is "Hope for the earth. Hope for humanity." If your local work has any integral ecology projects, please let us know by emailing Amy Stockinger at amarinaro@salesianym.com.