Most students might be aware of all of these new changes in the Upper School, but what changes are going on in the Lower School? Dan DelDuca, Lower School science teacher, is one of the teachers on campus who has been working hard to make sustainability a topic of discussion in the lower school and to instill new habits for the lower schoolers. 

Students have been learning about proper ways to recycle and compost in order to reduce waste production both in and outside the classroom. Fifth grade students even gave a presentation in front of the entire Lower school, encouraging the lower grades to “sort smart,” or to recycle and compost items appropriately in both the classroom and the cafeteria. Additionally, first grade teacher Brooke Donovan has been encouraging students to bring  reusable containers for snack and lunch in an effort to reduce the trash produced during these periods.

Through the new composting efforts in the lower school, students are given the opportunity to explore environmental sciences in the classroom. Pre-K and Kindergarten students have been studying the different types of pill bugs found under the composting bins, and the third grade students have been collecting compost from each classroom in the hopes of creating enough compost to use on the lower school gardens including the rain garden behind the lower school library. Additionally, fourth and fifth graders get to embark on an overnight trip to Horsham Outdoor school to learn more about composing and how to eat and live more sustainably. 

“I think the students are responding well to our efforts to be more sustainable this year,” states Mr. DelDuca. He adds that the older students have taken on new responsibilities and leadership roles in order to help educate the younger students. “It’s important that kids learn about sustainability at an early age...Young students have a “can do” attitude when it comes to helping our environment. They are not constrained by a voice telling them it can’t be done.” 

“The changes are good and I think it’s important to recycle and compost because it saves our planet,” says fourth grader Connor Straub. “It takes a little extra time but [recycling and composting] is good for the earth,” adds a fellow fourth grader Kate Ulrich. 

Lower school students and faculty hope to be able to take a trip up to the middle and upper school campus’ later this year to further explain all the new exciting changes taking place in the lower school.