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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-01-21, Page 12Learning to recycle Lisa Root (right) and Matt Wilson (left) are dumping a heavy load at Blyth Public School. With the schools great recycling program, the children are taught to recycle•and take a large part in making sure the right items land in the right boxes. PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1998. Community support helps children in schools By Amy Crawford Citizen Co-op student Dwindling education funds and environmental awareness, have prompted communities to find unique ways of supporting their schools and helping the children. Former principal Helen Crocker from Walton Public School said, "most of the supplies sent from parents are recyclable and can be used in many of the art projects the children do." "Also pieces of wood left over from tech projects are sent over from Seaforth and District High School," Crocker said. Many of these supplies are used to make structure models. The children have made rockets and other moving toys such as trains, planes and automobiles, which teaches them to recycle and learn about motion and speed. "Also other people bring in used clothing for costumes in the Christmas concert," said Crocker. "A woman from the area owned an art store and when she went out of business she donated all her art supplies to the school," said Crocker. Principal Rich Maertens from Blyth Public School said, "We have many items come into the school from parents and children." One parent sent in a big box of old magazines which were distributed among teachers and are used to teach children words and pronunciation in French and also to put under paintings so the children don't get paint on their desks. Other items that are of great use are wallpaper books used for art, scrap to lay on desks, cut and glue pictures and also as covers for books the children make. Yogurt and margarine containers are used for storage. Maertens said the previous principal made carts out of wood for teachers to use. Large margarine containers fit on the shelves and are used for storing items for class use. Old newspapers are also used, again on desks as scrap and also for students to trace other students for banners and pictures. Grocery bags and small film tubes are used when sending things home with children. Maertens said, "The film containers are great for children who lose their teeth. The child is usually afraid they will misplace the tooth before they get home, so we put the tooth in a container." Old watches are used to teach children how to tell time. "Blyth Public School has a great recycling program and we are trying to teach the children how to recycle," said Maertens. In every room they have boxes for recyclab]es such as glass fruit jars, paper and cans. Maertens said, "We try to encourage the children to recycle and, when they go to throw something out, see if they can decide where to put it." The school had a guest in to speak about recycling and "why we recycle and what to recycle." Maertens said, "Also the Ministry of Environment has provided us with units on recycling which are used in science classes." Brussels Public School has received financial support. Principal Howie Morton said, "SAC (Student Advisory Council) gave $500 for a new Grade 6 French curriculum. Also the parents are heavily involved in fundraising and hosted an Awares Fair, with rented tables displaying different items, such as Regal." "Some parents faced with a babysitting expense during the strike returned the money they receive from the government to the school to be spent on books for classrooms and other things that will be needed," said Morton. The Brussels band has been supported by the Lions and Optimist Clubs which have given donations to buy new instruments. McCutcheon Motors donated maps of Ontario for students to use in their studies. Also SAC raised money to be used towards supplies in the school. Anyone wishing to donate something can contact the school. Artful way Brittany Kellington uses a straw to spatter paint on her paper. This is one of the many techniques the grade 7/8 class at Brussels Public School use for their recycled art projects. 41tEENIPEACE crOr‘ Hard at work Justin Biesinger of Walton Public School has a little help from his teacher while he saws a block of wood for his moving object. A/he - clo de f;:( 4441e, PIE e 114.24 74/ea/ 1(441e, gotaed A/a4 2/-ag If/A.44 ghe W4a16, Ye/ A424 1/ahrldaci A7%ale, Pffing R/14( 4/%age, ebrc01/6wded,aoat-A,ed,r AollAndate ailkufre com'm'on'? T~ie~ awe anatieff tvAdes, Baleen is a series of stiff but flexible vertical plates which have a fringed edge. The plates hang from the inside of the whale's upper jaw in closely packed layers. When the whale's tongue forces water out of its mouth, the baleen efficiently strains out all the tiny animals (sometimes hundreds of kilos at a time). There are as many as 400 baleen plates on each side of the upper jaw, growing to as long as 4.5 metres. If you would like a free copy of "Greenpeace and the Whales," write: Greenpeace Information Office, 250 Dundas Street West. Suite 605B, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2Z5.