Skyline High School’s Environmental Science, Ecology, and Green Team loves the Earth from the bottom of their hearts

On December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, Skyline High School’s Environmental Science, Ecology, and Green Team students were able to complete an Action Project began by their predecessors in January, thanks to the financial support of Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Walmart, Front Royal/Warren County Anti-Litter Council, Warren County Education Endowment, and Community Participants.

The goal of their project was to raise awareness of the plastic pollution problem that we have in our waters. Students and Samuels Public Library sold organic, fair trade and GOTS certified, reusable canvas bags from Gallant International, along with a story book about an animal that suffered due to our plastic waste problem, written by Ellie Jackson. For every bag and book sold, students were able to give a bag and book to a kindergarten student in Warren County Public Schools.

Nearly 400 bags and books were distributed during the educational assemblies in which SHS students shared lessons about how the kindergarten students can reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to help our aquatic friends.

Parts of the lesson included reading “Duffy’s Lucky Escape,” signing and singing “Here to Do Our Part, Love the Earth from the Bottom of Our Heart,” a song written for this purpose (sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star), and the distribution of a WCPS Earth Steward sticker, coloring sheet, song lyrics, bag, and book. It was a wonderful experience for the SHS students to be able to put their learning into action… to have a change of pace, share a wholesome message, and give meaningful gifts to our community’s young Earth Stewards.

A few bag/book combos remained and were raffled off to the kindergarten teachers and aids. Ellie Jackson also donated sets of her books to Samuels Public Library and each elementary school library. Several donated sets from the author remain if you have an elementary school library that would like a set of the books.

Also remaining are a few of the organic, fair trade and GOTS certified, reusable canvas bags that Gallant International donated to the group. These bags are for sale for $20 with the proceeds being used to support the group’s current and future action projects, one of which is the Community Earth Day Celebration coming up April 18. Please, save the date! Contact Kara Lewallen for more information at klewallen@wcps.k12.va.us or (540) 631-0366 ext. 31131.