On Oct. 20, new greenhouses, glass structures used to trap heat for the purpose of growing plants, were installed in the science courtyard to enhance learning for science students as well as honor prior Schreiber High School graduates.
The structures, made possible by the Ed. Foundation and with the collaboration of Principal Dr. Kathryn Behr, were named for former students and science enthusiasts, Mark Harris Bernstein, ’72, and his brother Julian H. Bernstein, ’75. Mark, passed away in 1976 when he was just 21-years-old of brain cancer while attending Case Western University in Cleveland, OH. He worked on the very first artificial heart on a goat as part of his studies, according to his sister, Ellen Fox, also a Schreiber graduate. While excelling as a student at Case Western, he majored in biomedical engineering and pre-med. Julian, died at the age of 61 in a biking incident in Florida, was also an excelling science enthusiast and student, though he went into real estate law as a profession.
“Two of the greatest gifts you can give your children are love and a good education. I felt that would enrich every child’s education and help everybody achieve and be better people. I can’t love every child in Port Washington, but I can help improve the educational system and this was a way to enrich the lives of students at Schrieber, in a way that I think my brothers would like,” said Fox.
The Ed. Foundation has a long history of supporting the Port Washington School District with special projects to enhance and expand the capabilities of the education system. This is the 25th anniversary of the foundation, which has provided over $2.5 million worth of grants and support for over 500 projects.
“Knowing my brothers were passionate about science, I knew I would like to give the money in a way that would benefit every student at Schreiber and that it should be in the sciences because both my brothers loved science,” said Fox.
The ceremony to dedicate the greenhouse project was led by Dr. Sean Feeney, assistant superintendent of the Port Washington Union Free School District. Several students and faculty attended the ceremony while listening to Fox’s speech.
Science teacher Ms. Nicole LoPinto spoke about how the greenhouses are already having a large affect on the students education. Students have been using them in several classes including Science Research, Honors Biology, and Regents Biology. Since their beginning, students have been using them to grow produce and conducting experiments on plant growth. The greenhouses have also been used for Schreiber’s own Wellness Day, where students were planting flowers.
“The greenhouses are really beneficial not only to the science department as a whole, but to research students. Prior to their construction, there wasn’t a designated place to conduct projects involving plants. The greenhouses now fill this niche allowing students’ projects to expand and grow,” said sophomore Jackson Brous.
The Ed Foundation also provided more scientific pieces of equipment to enhance experiments and data collection. They gave fluorescent microscopes, electrophoresis equipment, and a rainwater collector to test the quality of the water, plus many more.
“These greenhouses are a living tribute to two Schreiber graduates who loved science and whose memory will now continue to shape learning in this community. It is a great honor to gather here for this dedication,” said Dr. Feeney.
These greenhouses are located in the courtyard between the gym and the hallway of the science wing, providing easy access for science classes. In this courtyard, there are also several picnic tables where students can spend off periods.
“I think the greenhouses are a great addition to Schreiber, as they not only let students see and understand what they are learning about, but are a great way to step outside and get fresh air. They can help all students by providing hands-on learning experiences and could be used for crops for our school lunches,” said sophomore Zach Grossman.