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Wilmington Montessori School Students Keeping It Green

Preschool students learn the benefits of a recycling program through tree purchase

April 21, 2008 – It should come as no surprise that the students at Wilmington Montessori School (WMS) are committed to enhancing and preserving the natural environment. Surrounded by greenery, Wilmington Montessori is located on an expansive 25-acre campus, including several wooded acres, on the edge of the quaint town of Arden. The approach of spring provides an opportunity for the school community to renew a commitment to the school grounds and larger environment through a clean-up and beautification day at the school. This year however, a classroom of the school’s preschool children will provide an addition to the garden day activities by using money generated through their classroom’s recycling program to purchase a tree to be planted on the school’s campus.

Preschool teacher Dolores Morra noted that the class, with the support and direction of parent volunteers, undertook a recycling project in addition to the school wide recycling program, and each week collected their classroom’s pizza boxes, paper and plastics, which were then taken to a local recycling program by a parent volunteer. As this classroom is 3-, 4- and 5-year old children, having them actively participate in collecting potential recyclables provided the hands-on learning that is so valuable to younger children. In addition, the classroom students collectively decided what to purchase with the money they earned through recycling; and decided on an endangered Sweetbay Magnolia tree, which is threatened and endangered in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.

This classroom project has allowed these younger children to experience the full cycle of benefits of recycling. As noted by Morra “These children are extremely aware and conscious of their impact on the environment through this project. They understand what one small child can do through recycling can ultimately make a difference in an entire community – in this case, their school community.” The children’s dedication to preserving the environment through recycling supports Wilmington Montessori’s mission statement of creating children that are ultimately responsible contributors to the global community. The tree will be planted on the school’s campus on Garden Day, Thursday May 1st.

WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Early Childhood Science Initiative

Toyota TAPESTRY Grant Provided Basis for Program Development

April 2, 2008– Toyota and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) announced on Monday their 2008 winners of the Toyota TAPESTRY grant for excellence and innovation in science education (Toyota Press Release attached). Former 2007 winner, Angie Meadows, a kindergarten teacher at Wilmington Montessori School (WMS) reflects on the benefits of the TAPESTRY grant, noting “My TAPESTRY grant provided the resources to nurture and cultivate students’ interest in nature into a lifelong passion.  A love of science cannot be taught – students have to experience it.  The Toyota TAPESTRY Program gives teachers what we really need – the resources to share our love of science with kids.”

Over the past year, Meadows, with fellow WMS early childhood education teachers, have brought science to life for WMS students. The TAPESTRY grant provided the funds for additional teacher education, visiting experts, service learning opportunities and the purchase of classroom materials within the school. As a result of the additional resources, WMS younger students are able to better understand abstract science concepts through their hands-on experience.  A field trip to the landfill allowed students to see the effects of litter and pollution. Students are able to use the work “biodiversity” appropriately by studying the animals they captured, raised throughout the year, and released to their natural habitat. The TAPESTRY program allowed WMS students to experience the natural world first hand.

There is an opportunity to see the resources provided by the Toyota TAPESTRY program in action as WMS students visit the Delaware Bay on to explore and learn (date to be determined).  This is a great photo opportunity that reflects young children, an age group not usually featured in science education. For additional information on the field trip to the Delaware Bay, contact Beth Reaves or 302-475-0555.

About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion in the United States, marketing products and services through a network of 1,427 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers in 49 states. Established in 1957, TMS and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics, motorsports, and research and development.