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Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW A group of East Longmeadow High School students, along with their teacher/advisor Mary Jane McMahon, are doing all they can to promote an attractive, clean and environmentally-friendly school. The East Longmeadow High School Environmental Club has taken on a number of projects of late aimed at beautifying the school grounds and promoting "green" practices. MacMahon explained that the club was reactivated this fall after a multiple-year hiatus that began when the previous advisor went on maternity leave. In August many of the club's members attended a school clean-up in advance of the first day of school. While the project gave students an opportunity to fulfill their community service requirements, McMahon pointed out that most of them have already surpassed those they participate simply because they care. Stephanie Winslow, co-president of the club, said a recent project involved moving DPW-donated dirt from the front of the school to a courtyard where the club plans to plant an herb garden. "We moved it to the center where the drain is [in the courtyard]," Winslow explained. "We want to make it more presentable." The students used garden tools and wheelbarrows borrowed from their own homes to get the job done. McMahon said the herbs that grow in the courtyard can also be used by students in her cooking classes, which face the courtyard. The classes also bring their scraps to the club's compost bin, which eventually will produce rich soil for plantings. Club member Tom Maybury said another part of the club's mission this year is to make other students aware of their impact on the environment. He said there are recycling bins throughout the school, "but you never see them being used." In addition to the herb garden, general beautification of the school's courtyards and increased environmental awareness within the student body, the club hopes to cultivate participation in making the greenhouse something it currently is not green. McMahon explained that the school's greenhouse recently underwent repairs and electrical updates paid for with money raised during a dress-down Friday and from a $1,000 donation from the family of Charles L. Buckingham, the founder of the East Longmeadow Conservation Commission. With a functioning green house, the club can continue some of its warm-weather activities year-round and start educational projects with preschoolers from Little Big Kids preschool, which operates out of East Longmeadow High School. "It's a hands-on opportunity for the kids," McMahon said. And the students and McMahon said they hope their successors continue the tradition when they graduate. Out of the four students interviewed by The Reminder Winslow, Maybury, Kathleen Rivers and James McCandlish one student, Maybury, said he is interested in studying environmental sciences and endangered species in college. But while the others aspire to follow different paths, they said they will still be involved in environmental stewardship on a volunteer basis. Any students interested in getting involved with the club, or any community members who would like to donate garden tools or other "wish list" items may contact Mary Jane McMahon at East Longmeadow High School. | ||||||
