Celebrated around the globe from April 18 – 22, 2022, Earth Week is an educational, engaging, and impactful week to help shed a light on environmental issues and celebrate our planet Earth concluding on Earth Day, April 22.
To recognize Earth Week, the Environmental Council at St. James Catholic High School organized a number of engaging events for their student body.
“Together we can help build a cleaner, healthier, and greener planet,” shared Aisha Zubair, Environmental Council president.
Throughout this week, students participated in a Phantom Power Day, Decorated Recycled Birdhouses in the cafeteria, participated in a Walk and Roll to School Day, organized a Seed Fair and Seed Grab and completed a schoolwide cleanup.
“The cleanup is an opportunity for our school community to work together to take responsibility for our school outdoor environment. It has been done annually for a number of years and classes often participate during the day prior to the after school clean up. Enviro Council initiates the after-school cleaning,” shared Laurie Young, staff support for the council. “Plastic packaging, plastic bottles and now masks are often found. Students wear gloves and take precautions to remain safe when doing this work. Care for the earth is an important precept for our Enviro Council.”
This was the third schoolwide cleanup the council has organized this year.
“It is important for Environmental Council to lead a community cleanup because having a clean and safe school is an essential building block to having a healthy planet. Every piece of trash that is picked up and disposed of properly means there are less harmful ways people and animals can be harmed by it. Cleanups also serve to educate. Through community-led environmental events such as this, students show leadership skills, communication skills, and initiative,” added Zubair.
Although the Environmental Council plans and runs it, the cleanup itself is done by all members of the school community.
“Although these environmental activities are a great way to connect and have fun, land pollution is an issue that needs to be addressed and stopped. To reduce this around the school, the school body can work together by having cleanups such as these annually. Additionally, we can bring wasteless lunches, buy organic products, and always sort our waste. Along with recycling and reusing resources whenever possible,” said Zubair.
To stay up to date with more St. James Catholic High School Environmental Council activities, follow them on Instagram.