Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 DCR encourages fifth grade students to participate in Arbor Day poster contest D epartment of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) Commissioner James Montgomery is encouraging Massachusetts students in the fi fth grade to participate in DCR’s 2021 Arbor Day Poster Contest. Fifth graders from across the Commonwealth currently enrolled in either public and private schools, as well as home-schooled students, can participate in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest by creating posters that illustrate this year’s theme, The Trees Out Our Window.” “Every tree is unique with an important role in keeping our environment healthy, and I’m pleased that each year fi fth graders capture this importance by participating in the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s annual Arbor Day Poster Contest,” said Montgomery. “I look forward to 2021’s inspiring entries from students throughout the Commonwealth bringing to life this year’s theme …” Students will submit a poster entry at their school, which will host a poster contest to determine the winner. The winning poster from each school will be submitted to DCR for review, and DCR will select and announce a winner on Arbor Day, Friday, April 30. Home-schooled or non-participating school students are asked to submit their posters to DCR and enter the contest individually. First place prizes for the DCR Arbor Day Poster Contest include a tree planting ceremony at the winner’s school, a certifi cate for art and science supplies, and more. Second Place, Third Place and Honorable Mention winners will also receive art and science supplies. “This year particularly we are all looking forward to spring,” said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley. “The Arbor Day Contest combines creative outlet with scientifi c study, a winning combination. I hope all of our fi fth graders will be encouraged to enter.” Trees are vital resources providing multiple benefi ts to people and the environment, including: • Reducing energy use for heating and cooling • Cleansing water and air • Reducing noise pollution • Beautifying communities Grillo named to Dean’s List at University of Maine • Providing habitats for wildlife The Commonwealth is home to unique and diverse forest landscapes, from the pitch pinescrub oak forests of the Southeast to the expansive hardwood forests of Western Massachusetts. This year’s theme, The Trees Out Our Window, is designed to capture and celebrate the diversity of our urban and wooded forests. Additionally, the Arbor Day Poster Contest allows students and educators the opportunity to combine both art and science to demonstrate the vital role trees have in our daily lives. The DCR Urban and Community Forestry Program, with support from the U.S. Forest Service and the Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association, sponsors the annual contest for fi fth graders across the Commonwealth. Posters must be submitted by March 15, and the contest is open to all students currently enrolled in the fi fth grade. An Arbor Day Poster Contest Guide is available on the DCR’s website or can be obtained by contacting Mollie Freilicher at 413-577-2966 or mollie.freilicher@mass.gov. ORONO, Maine – Vito Grillo of Revere was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Maine for the fall 2020 semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. RMV | FROM Page 6 ty protocols. Customers are encouraged to visit the Inspection Station Locator to fi nd a location near them and plan their trip to update their sticker. “Annual motor vehicle inspections are an integral part of helping ensure that vehicles travelling on roadways across the Commonwealth are deemed safe and not releasing dangerous emissions that can be harmful to individuals and the environment,” said Acting Secretary of Transportation Jamey Tesler. “We are thankful for all of the work and collaborative eff orts that are currently underway with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts State Police, local law enforcement, and key businesses partners and stakeholders to remind customers with expired inspection stickers to have their vehicles inspected as soon as possible.” “The RMV encourages any customer with an expired inspection sticker to make a plan to get their inspection and sticker updated,” said Acting Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Resources are readily available to help customers locate a convenient inspection station and guide them through the inspection process, following all safety and social distancing protocols to keep customers and inspection station staff safe.” The RMV is teaming up with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), Massachusetts State Police (MSP), local law enforcement and other business partners to remind customers of this time-sensitive requirement. While driving any motor vehicle without a valid inspection sticker is a traffi c violation that might result in a fi ne and impact individual insurance rates, the RMV is asking law enforcement to act at their discretion at this time but help remind and not cite those with expired stickers it’s time to renew. “The emissions and safety inspection ensures motor vehicles operating in Massachusetts are safe, properly maintained, and not emitting excess air pollutants in our communities, which will improve air quality for us all,” said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg. “MassDEP, along with our program partners, encourages Massachusetts residents to renew their stickers to ensure that their vehicle emission systems are inspected yearly.” “The Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement are aware of the diffi culties of prompt vehicle inspection renewal caused by the pandemic and agree that a reminder may be an eff ective temporary alternative to a citation during this current period,” said MSP Colonel Christopher Mason. “We encourage individuals to proactively check the current status of their motor vehicle inspection stickers, and not wait to schedule a safety inspection, if warranted,” said Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police Association President Brian Kyes. “You’re safe with us,” said New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association President Edgard Fayad. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been dynamic and intense for all of us in the past year. Our inspection stations have implemented thorough safety measures designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for both our staff and customers including clear signs to adhere to social distancing, increased cleanliness and hygiene practices, monitoring customer access to waiting areas, and masks required at all times. From the start of this pandemic, gas and service stations have been considered essential and we continue to be committed to helping the families and communities we serve stay safe.” RMV records show that approximately 584,000 active vehicle registrations in Massachusetts currently have an expired inspection sticker. An email reminder will be sent to the 437,000 individuals with an address on fi le. Other communication eff orts will include social media outreach and reminders to RMV business partners and law enforcement, and buckslip reminders will be included in registration mailings to encourage customers to “Check Ya Stickah” and take appropriate steps as needed. For the latest RMV updates and information, follow the RMV on Twitter @MassRMV. For additional information on RMV service off erings during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.mass.gov/rmv or https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/rmvcovid-19-information.
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