Written by Sheri Trusty
Sometimes trash can be fun too. That's when OSS Seneca County Education Specialist John Long visited Old Fort Elementary School on March 5th, where he spoke to Mr. Dickman's third grade class about his cycle of recycled trash life. Sometimes that's what the students discovered.
The program began with the room filled with laughter when Long told the kids he was here to talk trash.
Long is one of three education specialists for the OSS Solid Waste District. Educators are using the Ohio EPA curriculum to teach elementary school students in Seneca, Sandusky and Ottawa counties about recycling topics. In Dickman's class, Mr. Long talked about the impact of recycling and taught students how to read recycling labels.
“I learned that you can make lunch out of a plastic bottle,” said 8-year-old Charlie Cook. “That was interesting.”
Long plans to visit every school in Seneca County throughout the school year.
“We're going to talk to about 2,000 kids,” Long said. “Seneca County Schools are great partners. They believe in recycling.”
Seneca County Commissioners Anthony Paradiso and Bill Frankato joined Long to gain a deeper understanding of the OSS program.
Paradiso was impressed with Long’s presentation and the students’ commitment to the program.
“Mr. Dickman and the staff at Old Fort Elementary School were very accommodating,” he said. “It was refreshing and rewarding to see how the students interacted and were interested in the recycling process. We are pleased to be able to see first-hand the effectiveness and benefits of our educational program. ”
The commissioners had as much fun as the students during Mr. Long's program.
“Third grade students at Old Fort Elementary School had a fun day interacting and learning about recycling activities introduced by John Long of OSS,” said Chairman Francato. “Thank you to Old Fort Elementary School for giving us a learning experience.”
Mr. Long spoke to the students about making wise purchasing choices through green shopping and explained the personal impact they can have on the environment.
“Putting trash in the trash can is the most important part of this cycle,” he told the children.
Dickman said the program helps children reinforce lessons they are learning in school.
“We recycle in schools, but I think this is important because some kids don’t understand why,” she said. “Also, after a program like this, students go home and encourage their parents to recycle.”