This scholastic year has been a great one for the Greenscapes program. The in-class 5th grade education program has made its return to schools who have been long-time supporters and has been been introduced to several schools new to the program. More kids than ever are learning about their water, and what they can do to keep it clean and plentiful.
Kudos to the Town of Andover who has funded three separate Greenscapes school programs this year! Fifth graders from the Sanborn Elementary School have now joined students from Bancroft and South Elementaries in being fully informed about the water below us, above us, and all around us. As the Town of Andover lies partially in the Merrimack watershed and partially in the Ipswich watershed, staff from Ipswich River Watershed and Merrimack River Watershed Council ran the Greenscapes program jointly. Thanks to all the parent volunteers and teachers who have welcomed us throughout the town this year and who now also hopefully know a little more about their water!
We were also thrilled to bring the Greenscapes school program to Wenham for the first time. Staff from Ipswich River and Salem Sound Coastwatch led the program at the Bessie Buker Elementary School along with six fantastic parent volunteers. Both kids and parents were engaged and inquisitive; it was a pleasure to answer their questions about water and to hear their own perspectives on water in Wenham.
Already, we are working on bringing the Greenscapes classroom program to more schools. In time, we hope that every child in the Ipswich River watershed will have access to this program. Want to learn more about the curriculum or bring the program to your educational group? Contact Rachel Schneider at 978-412-8200.