Investing in renewable energy is actually more cost-effective in the long run through saving money, creating jobs, and mitigating the costs of climate change.

High upfront costs often seem to form a barrier to investing in renewable energy. However, renewable energy costs have fallen dramatically since the early 2000s. In the past ten years, the cost of solar energy has decreased tenfold, while wind energy has gotten three times cheaper. Renewable energy is rapidly becoming more affordable and is now often the most cost-effective source of energy for homes, businesses, and public institutions. In fact, it is now cheaper to build a new large-scale solar farm than to run existing coal or gas-fired plants in many countries. This is something that the US should not ignore, given that it spends an estimated $37.5 billion on fossil fuel subsidies yearly, money that could be going to research and development of renewable energy projects.

These trends in clean power have been instrumental in revolutionizing energy infrastructure. 2021 was a record-breaking year for cities investing in renewable energy; local governments signed more new clean power deals than ever before, marking five years of year over year growth. Some municipalities have already begun to reap the economic benefits of their energy transition, and many more are on track to save millions of dollars in taxpayer money from this investment.

The success of these projects proved to be an effective case study, allowing for similar plans to be implemented on a national scale. On August 16, 2022, the United States made the largest climate investment in it's history via the Inflation Reduction Act, which contained $369 billion in funding for renewable energy projects, electric vehicle expansion, and climate justice. Carbon emissions are expected to drop by about 40% compared to 2003 levels as a result, while simultaneously creating over 9 million new clean energy & environmental jobs. The Inflation Reduction Act will even pay for itself by generating an estimated $300 billion surplus, all without having any effect on most Americans’ taxes.

This landmark US climate law comes at a critical time. The economic consequences of climate change are on track to cut the world economy by $23 trillion by 2050. To put that into perspective, that’s about $1.5 million every minute, or $26,047 every second. This doesn’t have to be the case. Climate action can lead us to a brighter future. An investment in our planet is an investment in our people—the future of our health, wealth, and the prosperity of all citizens depends on our commitment to put in the effort now and reap the rewards later.

information from https://www.earthday.org/climate-action-is-now-the-best-pathway-to-a-strong-economy/

The 4th-grade classes have been participating in the Great Chain Race in the steam lab. Working in small groups, they aimed to build the longest paper chain using only 1 piece of 12 x 18 construction paper, 1 glue stick, and 1 pair of scissors! After they were done building they used a measuring tape to measure and compare their chain to other groups’ chains to determine the winner. Each class had a winner and the overall longest 4th-grade chain ended up being a tie between Mrs. Khatib’s class and Mrs. Black- Fontanarosa/ Miss Newmans’s class. 250 feet! Great job to all the teams!

In STEAM the fifth graders recently participated in the Science Buddies Ping Pong Pickup Challenge. In this fun engineering project, students were challenged to build grabber devices from paper, tape, string, and paper clips to pick up and retrieve a ping pong ball. The challenge was to pick up the ball from as far away as possible! The students had to generate and compare possible solutions with their team while meeting the criteria and constraints of the challenge. Scores from several of the devices were submitted to Science Buddies to enter the 2023 Engineering Challenge.

By Mrs. Peterson

Are you looking for a bigger size shirt?

Or need a certain color garment for spirit or wear this for awareness day?

Instead of shopping- consider the climate friendly option by checking out our

on campus Wear n Share

Any one can choose items at NO cost

and you'll be helping the Earth by

Reduce- Reuse- Recycling!

This week, Miss Yager and Mrs. Niccola's classes made panoramic sugar eggs! This is a tradition that has been with Mrs. Eckstein's family for years. It dates back to the Victorian Era, although many different countries have been credited with creating this lost art. The eggs were created using more than 60 pounds of sugar and 10 pounds of confectioner sugar! It is used to celebrate the start of spring. After the eggs harden, the eggs can live in a dry, safe place for many years! It is a project that can be enjoyed as a keepsake for many years to come!

During the month of March in honor of “Music In Our School Month”, all students grades 3-5 in the IEC participated in “March Music Madness'”. Students voted on 16 different songs. We had lots of fun listening to all of the songs. Each round, only the top selections moved on. Throughout the month, we played 4 rounds until we had an ultimate winner! Even the building staff was invited to play along. Students learned about respecting different musical styles and musical performers as well as respecting other people's musical preferences. The overall winning song was “Never Gonna Give You Up” performed by Rick Astley. In addition to playing each round, students were asked in the beginning round to guess which song would make it until the end. From the winning guesses, names were drawn for a small prize from each class. We are looking forward to a whole new round of “Music Madness'' next year!

Miss Yager's class were the winners of the Golden Spoon Award in March. Mrs. Rodriguez & Mrs. Krecisz treated them to a pizza party on Thursday 3/9/23 to celebrate!

The Golden Spoon Award is a school-wide competition to reward classrooms that demonstrate positive behaviors in the cafeteria. This monthly award is given out to one classroom in grades 3-5 that continually follows the school rules; follow directions, communicate with respect, keep hands, feet and objects to yourself, bring all materials to lunch, and raise your hand and wait to be called on.

The winning classroom displays a huge Golden Spoon in their room for the month. In addition, students take part in a special dining experience with Mrs. Rodriguez and Mrs. Kresicz. The winning classroom is announced at the announcement at the beginning of each month.

What an Eggstravaganza! Mrs. Marchetti's Multi-age class enjoyed a spring afternoon egg hunt at the IEC. Students enjoyed searching the campus for egg filled treats! What a a way to kick off our Spring Break.

Students in the classroom of Mrs. Sandonato-Siuta/ Mrs. Block worked with Mrs. Zito to create a Be Kind display outside their classroom for all to enjoy

Principal Rodriguez rewards Lancers for their leader behavior with Slushies. Whenever a classroom teacher is not in class the substitute teacher gives a Slushie coupon to the best behaved student of the day. Students hold onto the coupons until Slushie day where they're redeemed with a big smile from Principal Rodriguez!

Great job Lancers! Keep up that exemplary behavior of leaders

Please ask your child(ren) to check

the Lost & Found in the cafeteria often

It has accumulated a very large amount of items

that miss their homes!

All items not claimed by the end of the school year

will be donated

Re using, trading or sharing items is a great way to celebrate Earth Day!

Year 7 of One District, One Book’s Family Reading Adventure is in the “books!” Buffalo snow did not keep our families from celebrating their reading accomplishment last night… Dragons in a Bag style where our STORY CAME ALIVE! It is our committee's hope and goal with this 8 week program to inspire a rich appreciation of literature and create lifelong readers while establishing a culture of family literacy. With that, 430+ people enjoyed family time together solving award-winning Dragon Math Puzzles, creating Fire-breathing Dragons with our HS Art Club, avoiding dinosaurs straight from the pages of our book in our Obstacle Course, rounding up dragons in our Breakout EDU Challenge, and perusing our Avenue of Baobab Vendors where families could try Indian Peda Sweets (just like Kavita fed the dragons in our book), experience Indian Art culture, visit with our local libraries, purchase the next books in the series, take a photo in our Realm of Magic Photo Booth, and visit our community business partners!

MANY THANKS TO: (it takes a village!)

• Our amazing PEC/IEC custodial and cleaning crews under the leadership and planning of Rich Salverson- couldn't have done it without YOU- JUST WOW!
• Justin Hays and Paula Singleton for giving your time and creativity to our Obstacle Course.
• Cindy Sanchez and her HS Art Club for the incredible Fire-Breathing Dragon activity.
• Amy Golden and her family for BUILDING and bringing her NY State Master Teacher Program, Award-Winning Math Lesson, Dragons and Towers puzzle to our STEAM activity. Thank you to the National Museum of Math for their contribution.
• 50+ High School/MS Volunteers from NJHS, Key Club, Future Teachers, WEB, and the Senior Class. Thank you Jessica Cruz, Lori Hurtgam, Emily LaGamba, Karen Pax, and Scott Townsend for recruiting! Thank you for also providing our evening with drinks and baked goods.
• Staff Volunteers- we couldn't have managed all those fantastic student volunteers without you- thank you for giving your Friday evening to us: Sue Hedemann, Brianna Zeitz, Rachel Stiffen, Bing Zhang, Cheryl Westmorland, Sandi Silvaggi, Candy Allen-Thomas, Shannon Niccola, and Will Crosby (student teacher.)
• Lewiston, Youngstown, and Ransomville Libraries for partnering with us.
• India Association of Buffalo for bringing the cultural elements of our story to our evening!
• And of course, Paul Casseri and the BOE for supporting year 7 of this elementary initiative.
• A personal thank you to the Scully Family for helping to make the often arduous trek and transport back to the PEC a breeze, even in snow!
• (forgive me if I forgot anyone)

With Sincere Gratitude,

2022-2023 ODOB Committee

Advisors: Heather Zielinski, Heidi Kazulak, & Amy Golden

Principals: Tamara Larson, Tina Rodgriguez, Aliscia Krecisz, & Andy Auer

PEC Members: Kari Schmitt, Miranda Schultz, Leah Khatib, Nicole Sandretto & Leah Jasek

IEC Members: Lindsay Dougherty, Julie Stevener, Dena Peterson, & Joy Khatib

MS Members: Karen Pax & Yokasta Munoz

Parent Member: Stacie Mueller

Community Members: Sonora Miller, Ann Siejka, and Phila Ibaugh

The IEC February Diaper Drive for Carolyn's House was a great success! Thank you for your diaper donations

This is an amazing supportive Housing Program for homeless women and children operated by the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier. It's mission is to assist women in achieving self-sufficency, by providing education, counseling, advocacy, supportive services and housing.

The YWCA of the Niagara Frontier opened Carolyn’s House in 2005, providing 19 apartments with on-site support services for women and children. Carolyn’s House is designed to empower residents to transition from homelessness to a dignified, safe future. Most women and children entering Carolyn’s House have experienced trauma including domestic violence and/or sexual assault, financial challenges, substance abuse or incarceration. Supportive housing services at Carolyn’s House (including employment and training, case management, counseling, financial literacy etc.) give women in crisis the time to develop skills and increase their confidence and allow for a safe and successful integration back into the community. Over 500 women and children have found refuge and a path to dignity over the last 15 years at Carolyn’s House. Carolyn’s House was named in memory of Niagara Falls Community Advocate Carolyn Van Schaik who assisted the YWCA in applying for funding for the adaptive reuse of the historic building now housing Carolyn’s House.

To donate please contact the YWCA at 716.433.6714 for items needed.

http://www.ywcaniagarafrontier.org/

3/14/23 is known as "Pi Day" In math 3.14 = Pi

Enjoy these pictures from the Lewiston Porter District Art Show 2023

Monday 3/6- Mis Match Day

Tuesday 3/7- Tie Dye Day

Wednesday 3/8- Workout Wednesday

Thursday 3/9- Funny Hat Day

Friday 3/10- Green & White Day

Monday 3/27- Tie Dye Day

Tuesday 3/28- Vacation Vibes/ Beach Day

Wednesday 3/29- Wear Yellow Like Sunshine Day

Thursday 3/30- Sports Day

Friday 3/31- Cruise/ Boat/ Lake Day

The Niagara County Music Educators Association (NCMEA) sponsors three annual

All-County Music Festivals. Each festival showcases the top vocal/instrumental musicians in the county from grades 5-12. Instrumental students audition in December, competing against hundreds of others from various school districts to be selected for a position in their ensemble.

These festivals are two-day events in which students rehearse with a guest conductor all day on Friday and again on Saturday morning with an afternoon concert to conclude the festival.

This year’s Elementary Band Festival was held at Newfane CSD on Feb. 10 & 11.

Fifth Grade students selected to represent Lewiston Porter IEC were:

Rowan O’Shea- French Horn

This year’s Elementary Orchestra Festival was held at Niagara Falls CSD on March 3 & 4. Fifth Grade students selected to represent Lewiston Porter IEC were:

MaryElle Hausauer- Viola

Charles Clinch- Violin

Liam Scully- Violin

Bragnae Regan- Violin

Cadence Fetzner-Violin

Mrs. Spinnegan and Mrs. Carere are very proud of everyone for all of their hard work and dedication to make these events so successful! Congratulations on outstanding performances and for representing Lewiston-Porter with pride!

Congratulations to the 5th Grade Band & Orchestra students on a spectacular District Kaleidoscope concert series! The concerts were held on March 8th (Band) and March 16th (Orchestra) in the High School Auditorium. The 5th grade students performed with all 6th-12th grade Band and Orchestra students in the district for the finale of each concert- over 100 students playing together! It was an incredible and awesome experience for our young players!

Mrs. Spinnegan and Mrs. Carere are so proud of all of you!

If you missed them, you can catch the live stream videos here on the Lewiston-Porter Music Program Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074138463064