Students at Churchville-Chili Middle School aren’t waiting for someone else to step up and solve the world’s problems: they are taking the initiative themselves. A group of concerned seventh-graders noticed too many potentially recyclable or compostable products going into their classes’ trash cans. They got together, did research and came up with a solid proposal for solving the problem. The group presented their ideas to school administrators and even applied for and won a grant from Monroe County to fund their plan. Now eight classrooms in the middle school boast recyling bins for bottles and cans, and compost. The district already recycles paper and cardboard. Students hope to expand the pilot program, but in the meantime, they volunteer several hours a week of their own time to maintain the new system.
“It’s really only a little time,” said student Kathryn Parisi. “We check every other day to make sure the bins are being used correctly.” Jessica Magguilli added, “Everyone here wants to do the right thing. We just need to clearly communicate to them how they can do it.”
It’s actually not surprising that these seventh-graders have initiated this action. As sixth-graders, many members of this class spearheaded the school cafeteria’s composting program. This year, a new crop of sixth-grade activists are carrying on and expanding the original vision. The new group members are currently working on a proposal and a plan to build their own system of compost collection and tumblers.
Why are all these students independently putting so much of their own time and effort into recycling and making improvements to their school?
“We want to make a difference,” said Parisi. “We just want to change something and make it better.”
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