Spackenkill just got a whole lot greener. Students in Mrs. Vila’s 6th grade reading class at Todd Middle School aren’t just talking about ways to help the environment—they’re doing something about it. Their new recycling bin initiative began this past spring as a result of a unit based on the novel Frightful's Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, which focuses on the effects of DDT on the environment. Reading the book got the students thinking about injustices and environmental problems and working to solve them.
So sixth graders Cheyann Fields, Samuel De La Cruz, Kaylise Lowndes, Dominick Fraser, Jonathan Raz, and Fallon Glasheen put their heads together to devise a multi-step plan to make the recycling initiative happen.
The students met with the custodial staff to get them on board and videoed their own public service announcement (see above) to spead awareness and explain the use of the recycling bins, which separate out paper and plastic bottles. Paper recycling bins have been placed in every classroom. In the video, which was streamed in all homerooms, Samuel De La Cruz says, “Just by taking these small steps you can make a big difference.”
At lunch, volunteers have been redirecting students on the way to the garbage, showing them how to put their recyclables in the proper bins. “There has been a huge response,” says Mrs. Vila. “Nearly all milk cartons are being recycled at lunch.”
There was also great teamwork: Student Government and the School Store supported the recycling bin fund by donating boxes. Also, the School Store is collecting the deposits on water bottles and re-investing the money in the store.
Congratulations to Mrs. Joy’s homeroom, which won the contest to create a motto for the initiative with these words: "Our little contribution is a solution to pollution." They will be treated to a waffle breakfast hosted by Mrs. Vila’s class.
