Earth Day : Students report on Earth Day
Published: April 17, 2008
The following responses to Earth Day are the result of a project initiated by Edgartown teaching assistant Teressa Temple, whose eighth-grade students became reporters, interviewing others at the school about ways to conserve and recycle.
Things being done on the Vineyard
Mr. John Stevens is the principal of the Edgartown School. I asked him about ways he tries to save the planet by preventing pollution. He said, "Well, I recycle as much as possible." I also asked him how he saves energy. He answered that we [at the Edgartown school] conserve energy by turning down the heat, installing light sensors in the rooms, and turning off the lights and computers when they are not needed. The last question I asked him was, "How do you recycle?" He answered, "We recycle water from the cafeteria and use it to water the plants and we recycle paper and plastics in the building."
Ms. Temple, a teaching assistant at the Edgartown Elementary school, picks up trash at the beach. She also teaches her children ways they can make the planet better by recycling and composting. She said that she tries to set a good example for her children to follow. (She also gives me a lot of homework!)
Those who protect our environment
Earth Day is important because it reminds us to stop and look at environmental problems.
I talked to teacher Susan Gamble from the Edgartown School and she gave me some very good information about people who keep our island safe and clean.
Police help because they can ticket people who litter. The Highway Department and the Sheriff's office help by having the people from jail pick up the trash that's left on the side of the road. EMTs and medical people help save our lives due to the air pollution that people are breathing.
I interviewed science teacher David Faber at the Edgartown School and he told me about the importance of educating students about the environment. Mr. Faber also talked about very important organizations on the Island. These groups contribute to help keep our environment safe by preserving land in its natural state, educating Islanders about environment issues, and sponsoring beach clean-up days and walks around the Island. Some of the important Island groups are: The Trustees of Reservations, The Land Bank, The Sheriff's Meadow Foundation, Felix Neck, and the Vineyard Conservation Society.
Without teachers to help us learn about what is good and bad for the environment we won't be able to learn good habits to preserve our land. Without people who care about the Island we won't have a beautiful place to live. We can learn new ways to prevent those problems by sharing ideas and talking to others. Let's all do something special for the island on Earth Day, April 22.
