GENESEO, N.Y. — A class project of a SUNY Geneseo childhood/special education major on Earth Day resulted in a group of children learning about how recycling benefits the environment.
Danielle Arieno, a senior from Rochester, N.Y., collaborated with Holy Childhood and the Trader Joe’s grocery market in Pittsford, N.Y., for the project, which Arieno coordinated as part of her required field visit hours. The 116 students at the school program decorated recycled grocery bags donated by Trader Joe’s as part of the school’s unit on recycling and the environment. After decorating the bags, the school returned them to Trader Joe’s, who distributed them to customers on Earth Day April 22.
“It was a very special day for the children at the school,” said Arieno, who will be doing her student teaching in Rochester next fall. “The students decorated the donated bags with images about saving the environment. They were very proud of their work and happy to spread the message to protect our environment, which put a big smile on my face! What started as such a simple idea turned into a fulfilling experience for me because it was clear to see how much the students enjoyed it. I am so glad everyone at Holy Childhood and Trader Joe's made this project possible!”
Elizabeth Hall, assistant professor of education, who advised Arieno on the project, said the project was a great way to make a difference by involving the school and community.
“Danielle created an amazing lesson plan idea for 'Celebrate Earth Day' that started in her classroom at Holy Childhood,” said Hall. “She graciously worked with each teacher in the school to ensure that they understood the concept behind the 'Celebrate Earth Day' project and that their students could participate. In the end, Danielle took it upon herself to develop the idea, collaborated with her teacher to fine tune the idea, and worked with the teachers and the community to bring this project to fruition.”
Holy Childhood is a non-denominational, non-profit agency that enriches the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Photo: Students from the Holy Childhood’s School Program in Rochester were able to celebrate Earth Day thanks to a class project coordinated by Geneseo senior education major Danielle Arieno (front row, second from right) with support from Trader Joe’s.
Media Contact:
David Irwin
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu