Today's students are tomorrow's environmental stewards.
Each one of Jefferson Elementary's first-graders is bound to become an environmentally responsible adult. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to find more than a few future eco-activists among them because they are spending this school year studying the impact beach trash has on the ocean's habitat and food chain, as well as the health of the creatures who call it home.
Our coastal waters have become a dirty home for their inhabitants due to litter, such as plastic spoons, flip flops, cigarette butts, toothbrushes and other debris. Led by Jefferson first-grade teacher Arlene Gnade, all six first-grade classrooms are participating in “Beach Trash … a Whale of a Problem” program.
An environmental artist is working with students to create a life-sized mosaic of a gray whale created entirely from beach trash gathered over the past several months by the kids and their families. It will be unveiled at Jefferson on Feb. 18 and is now on display at LEGOLAND's Sea Life Aquarium.
I'm heartened at the students' response to the project, which is intended to raise public awareness. Now educated on the subject, the kids are intent on educating the rest of us.
“I learned that it is bad for the ocean to eat dirty old trash because it swallows it and then fish that live in it die,” said first-grader Cassie Nesbit while displaying Styrofoam and an icky piece of cloth she found.
Student Carter Doan has taken the lessons to heart.
“I used to litter sometimes. That was before first grade. Now I don't. I know that trash makes animals sick,” he said.
Surfrider volunteer Heather Bensen is one of several Jefferson parents assisting in the project. She said the students have completely absorbed the lessons.
“They're not just hearing someone tell them about pollution. They're out there experiencing it first-hand. That makes all the difference in the world,” she said.
I feel confident that these earnest and passionate first-graders will someday make a big difference in the world, thanks to the lessons they are learning now.
Five schools named to state honor roll
Five of our nine elementary schools have been recognized for their success in raising students' academic achievement. Aviara Oaks, Buena Vista, Hope, Kelly and Pacific Rim have been named a California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE) Honor Roll School for 2009.
Buena Vista is recognized as a CBEE Star, designated as a school with a significant population of socio-economically disadvantaged students who have shown a significant increase in grade-level proficiency over four years for all subgroups.
“Our staff, students and families work hard every day to achieve their goals just as business leaders do in their daily work; having CBEE recognize the connection is greatly appreciated,” said Buena Vista Principal Tina Howard.
Each one of Jefferson Elementary's first-graders is bound to become an environmentally responsible adult. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to find more than a few future eco-activists among them because they are spending this school year studying the impact beach trash has on the ocean's habitat and food chain, as well as the health of the creatures who call it home.
Our coastal waters have become a dirty home for their inhabitants due to litter, such as plastic spoons, flip flops, cigarette butts, toothbrushes and other debris. Led by Jefferson first-grade teacher Arlene Gnade, all six first-grade classrooms are participating in “Beach Trash … a Whale of a Problem” program.
An environmental artist is working with students to create a life-sized mosaic of a gray whale created entirely from beach trash gathered over the past several months by the kids and their families. It will be unveiled at Jefferson on Feb. 18 and is now on display at LEGOLAND's Sea Life Aquarium.
I'm heartened at the students' response to the project, which is intended to raise public awareness. Now educated on the subject, the kids are intent on educating the rest of us.
“I learned that it is bad for the ocean to eat dirty old trash because it swallows it and then fish that live in it die,” said first-grader Cassie Nesbit while displaying Styrofoam and an icky piece of cloth she found.
Student Carter Doan has taken the lessons to heart.
“I used to litter sometimes. That was before first grade. Now I don't. I know that trash makes animals sick,” he said.
Surfrider volunteer Heather Bensen is one of several Jefferson parents assisting in the project. She said the students have completely absorbed the lessons.
“They're not just hearing someone tell them about pollution. They're out there experiencing it first-hand. That makes all the difference in the world,” she said.
I feel confident that these earnest and passionate first-graders will someday make a big difference in the world, thanks to the lessons they are learning now.
Five schools named to state honor roll
Five of our nine elementary schools have been recognized for their success in raising students' academic achievement. Aviara Oaks, Buena Vista, Hope, Kelly and Pacific Rim have been named a California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE) Honor Roll School for 2009.
Buena Vista is recognized as a CBEE Star, designated as a school with a significant population of socio-economically disadvantaged students who have shown a significant increase in grade-level proficiency over four years for all subgroups.
“Our staff, students and families work hard every day to achieve their goals just as business leaders do in their daily work; having CBEE recognize the connection is greatly appreciated,” said Buena Vista Principal Tina Howard.