CCS students learn they can make a difference

CORNWALL — The Roots & Shoots group, made up of 46 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from Cornwall Consolidated School, celebrated its eighth year of trying to make the world a better place by improving the environment, the animal and the human community in this educational program of the Jane Goodall Institute.The group started off in September by making major changes toward becoming a greener school. All plastic and recycling bins got fresh new signs stating clearly the new “numbers” of plastic that can be recycled. The lunch room became ground zero for sorting and properly disposing of mealtime waste. The group held information sessions to give all our schoolmates the lowdown on responsible recycling. After two weeks, custodian Pete Selino reported the school’s trash had been whittled down by half. The new lunch period routine had two people who cleaned and sorted milk cartons and plastics. They also set aside CapriSun drink pouches for “upcycling.” These pouches were collected, cleaned and counted by four faithful fifth-graders each week and sent to Terra Cycle. a company in New Jersey that makes new products from items that used to wind up in the landfill. For each of the almost 5,000 drink pouches sent in, TerraCycle donated a small amount of money to help take care of the dogs and cats at the nearby Little Guild shelter.In November, Roots & Shoots started an ambitious after-school program making crafts out of recycled items. Framed cork trivets and bulletin boards were the bestsellers at the UCC Christmas Fair. Students also made “snow globes” out of inverted fruit cup containers, earrings out of “silly bands” and bracelets out of rolled paper beads. The crafts raised enough money to buy llamas, chicks and rabbits for needy families through Heifer International.When the tsunami and earthquake hit Japan in March this year, Mr. Matsudaira, a CCS dad, came through by teaching students to make origami cranes, a symbol of hope in Japan. At the Spring Concert, a table was set up where families could learn to make the cranes with the guidance of students. Each crane folded meant help for someone in Japan. The school donated 1,241 to Oshkosh, which would send children’s clothing for each crane, and 507 to Students Rebuild, where each crane raised $2 in relief money.