Schools Celebrate “Go Green Week”

Students at Munsey Park and Shelter Rock celebrated Go Green Week in late April, in recognition of Earth Day. The theme for the week was “Protecting our Oceans.” Every day, students learned about current challenges in our environment and how they can help to preserve marine life and our waters. Go Green Week is sponsored by the Manhasset Student Community Association (SCA).

Each morning of Go Green Week started with schools’ principals reading “fun facts” related to ocean pollution during the morning announcements. SCA volunteers created short lesson plans for the teachers to use during the week. This year, topics included themes such as how plastic pollution in the ocean affects animals, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

As part of Go Green Week, both schools hosted their own recycled art contest. Students were encouraged to create their own masterpieces made out of recycled products. Submissions were very creative, ranging from a ladybug made out of a toilet paper roll, to a “trash dress” created with old fabric. The teachers voted, and winners were selected for each grade.

The Munsey Park Kindness Club organized a shoe collection for Soles4Souls, which distributes shoes throughout the United States to needy individuals. Shelter Rock also hosted a shoe drive. Together, the schools collected almost 200 pairs of shoes to donate.

On the last day of Go Green Week, the WaterFront Center spoke to students at Munsey Park and Shelter Rock. The WaterFront Center is a non-profit organization that provides access to the waters of Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound through marine education, sailing and recreation programs, and through harbor tours. The Education Director, Cameron Jennes, spoke to students about current pollution challenges in the Long Island Sound, and how they can help. The students learned that due to positive changes like the ban on plastic bags, many marine animals have been returning to the area, including whales. For additional information on the Waterfront Center, visit https://www. thewaterfrontcenter.org.

Go Green Week offered a chance for students and staff to learn about ongoing pollution problems in the oceans around the world and the Long Island Sound. The SCA hopes that these lessons had a positive impact on the Munsey Park and Shelter Rock communities.

—Submitted by the Manhasset Student Community Association