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Codi Hamblin

Students use artwork to inform community, acknowledge earth celebration

Students at Mary Purcell Elementary tapped into their creativity to help educate the community about Earth Day.

The students decorated paper grocery bags donated by Food Pavilion to color pictures and earth-friendly slogans to celebrate the nationally recognized day.

On April 22, the students’ artwork will be seen in the community as store employees will use the decorated bags for customers’ groceries.

The Earth Day bag project ties into what students have learned about Earth Day in the classroom, said Heather Swenson, a third grade teacher at Mary Purcell. Her classroom was one of several that helped decorate the bags.

Students in Swenson’s class have learned about the history of Earth Day as well how they can integrate changes into their lives to help reduce environmental impact.
“The students have read books about what they can do to save water, energy and paper,” Swenson said.

By learning about the issues and how to help, students can see how they can integrate what they learn at school into their daily lives, said Rebecca Goertzel, Mary Purcell principal. The actions are not just something they can do at school or on Earth Day, but something they can carry into their daily lives, she said.
The Earth Day bags project is an interconnected venture with the school and community that helps make school relevant, Goertzel said.

“There’s a community dynamic as well as classroom learning,” she said. “And it ties into (the students’) lives at school and in the community.”