Overbrook Elementary School is teaching students about the importance of recycling. The school’s program, Overbrook Kids Care About the Earth, shows students what items can be recycled, how to recycle properly and the positive effects of recycling on their community.
“When I came here I noticed that they [the school] did do some recycling but not as much as they could, so I asked the principal if we could enhance the recycling program” Fiorella DiMarzio, fifth grade teacher and project organizer, said.
The program expanded since its beginnings eight years ago. The school will recycle anything that can be recycled in Philadelphia, such as paper, bottles and plastic items. Although the program is not funded, students and staff are committed to developing green awareness.
“The whole school participates,” DiMarzio said. “Every classroom has a recyclable basket and I made a copy of what can be recycled on it from the Philadelphia website and I had it taped on every basket.”
Students participate by collecting the bins and taking them outside to be recycled once a week. They also collect soda tabs for donations to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.
Overbrook Elementary wants to further expand their program into the community.
“I think that the kids benefit from it [recycling] and I like seeing them think about the choices they can do in recycling versus trash, we should be doing more,” DiMarzio said.
Be the first to comment