A class of rising fourth graders from Newport News Public Schools’ Summer Program for Arts, Recreation, and Knowledge (SPARK) program spent several afternoons at Palmer Elementary learning from city staff about city operations and the importance of taking care of our environment. Newport News Public Schools for the second year, partnered with The City of Newport News departments of Engineering, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Tourism, for the summer program.

The students learned about storm water pollution prevention from Engineering staff and watched a Public Works Storm water crew clean out litter and debris from a storm drain with a vacuum truck. Since all litter that goes down the storm drains ends up in local waterways, the class applied storm drain medallions to several curb drop inlets to remind future students.

Participants also learned about the functions of the various divisions of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism department. Students had the opportunity to look inside an Animal Control Officer’s truck and to learn about preservation of Newport News’ rich history by city archaeologists and preservationists. The day ended with the kids enjoying a ride in a bucket truck with the City’s Tree Crew and planting their own garden plants to take home.