After discovering a need for warm winter clothing in the school, Ms. Jessica King, the Grade 3/4 teacher, decided to incorporate a curricular twist to the process.
In science, the Grade 4 class is studying the process of recycling and its importance on our environment. Also, in Grade 3, they are discussing our individual communities and how they can help make them healthy and safe.
With these two curriculum requirements in mind, the continuing focus in becoming a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organiza-tion) associated school in September 2012, and with the help of fellow staff member Laurel Ewashen, child care worker, the Triple ‘R’ was created.
Previously called the Cozy Corner, the name Triple ‘R’ came from the class — who took ownership of the idea — and stands for reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Once the name was established, Ms. King dived into the dumpster behind Dairy Queen for empty boxes, and the class then began brightly decorating donation receptacles for the front of the school. The boxes were checked daily by the students and when clothes started coming in, they began sorting the items.
The sorting wouldn’t have gone as smoothly if the class didn’t have the generous donation of clothing racks from Mr. Darwin Zander of Creston Valley Mall. With the racks, the students were able to easily collect, sort and display the many donations received.
This has been an exciting process for the students who have learned not only how to recycle and be responsible but to care for others.
— CANYON-LISTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSPAPER COMMITTEE