What is Earth Day
Every year on April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day. It was first held in 1970 and is a key milestone for the environmental movement. It has been celebrated for the past 52 years and has resulted in policy change and a greater awareness of the environment.
Earth Day at The French American Academy
As the “Earth Month”, April is the perfect time for French American Academy students to celebrate and take actions that help to protect the environment. So our students rolled up their sleeves and volunteered in many different projects, including programs at Liberty State Park.
Lower School
Here are some fabulous actions that were carried out by the students:
- During three weeks, TPK3 to 2nd graders took up ecological challenges as part of the “Ma Petite Planete” Project. Together with children from all over the world, they challenged each other to protect the planet. They consumed organic products, came to school on foot rather than by car, wrote their pledges to take care of the Earth, and turned the water off when they brushed their teeth.
- Upon the initiative of the Class Delegates, a bake sale was set up in the school for a week. The money raised will support reforestation in Madagascar. More than 660 dollars were raised and will be donated to the Bondy Association to plant trees. We can all be proud of this outcome!
- On Earth Day (4/25), the whole school collected trash from the neighborhood streets (12 blocks) and picked up nearly 150 pounds of trash! Another opportunity for our students to solve real-life mathematical problems: weighing, comparing, adding, and converting.
- PK4 and K classes attended a virtual tour of the Sims Recycling Education center. They learned about the many aspects of waste and recycling and journeyed through the entire recycling process.
- Several grades have started composting by depositing their biodegradable trash in the Hamilton Park composter.
- The 3rd graders created awareness posters now displayed throughout the school.
The FAA’s ecological commitment will continue with other events: the EARTH DAY picnic organized by the PTO (May 14) and Trees and Trash (May 7) organized by the Middle School students. We can be proud of our little eco-citizens!
Middle School
Trail Maintenance and Beach Cleanup
One group worked on trail maintenance.The students cleaned and removed invasive and overgrown plants to help improve habitats. The other group participated in beach cleanup. Middle schoolers had a fun and stimulating educational experience at Liberty State Park. It was the perfect kick off to celebrate Earth Month!
The FAA has partnered with SJC (Sustainable Jersey City) and Clean Green JC for a community event consisting in helping clean up the tree pits in front of the school and in the neighbourhood. More details will be sent out by the PTO.
Earth Day is a cherished tradition at The French American Academy : 2021 look back
In April 2021, our pre-k students celebrated Earth Day studying different books about the environment, resources and actions we can take to protect the planet. They put their thoughts in action by making an art project to thank our planet but also went on a trip to clean the school environment.
