Eighth grade writing workshop students at Sagamore Middle School were honored to attend a presentation by Citizens Campaign for the Environment educators Maryellen Dour and Tara Bono last month.
Students participated in a lab experiment using a model of Long Island’s aquifer system to learn about how the aquifer works and how we can monitor, protect, and improve our drinking water and local environment.
Student feedback was positive and energized.
“I was very amazed to learn that our water is under our feet,” said Marisa Filarosa. “I never realized that chemicals or fertilizer that we put on our grass or dump into the dirt can affect our drinking water.”
All of Mrs. Gennosa’s and Ms. Anziano’s writing workshop students were able to participate.
Imad Chaudry was inspired by the presentation.
“Regular citizens can have a say in local government,” he said. “The Citizens Campaign motivated me to actually do something that will benefit the local society. It showed me the determination people like them can have to make our society, government, and the environment better for us all.”
Mary Rae reinforced the importance of working to improve our own community and protect our future.
“I would like to take my children and grandchildren to the beaches on Long Island in the future,” said Rae. “I’ve helped the community by getting my school to help preserve the Brookhaven Wildlife Center. I will now encourage my parents and friend’s parents to use chemicals moderately and to not dump things in drains or toilets.”
These Sachem students are writing letters and creating public service announcements to have their voices heard. This generation will be leaders in the effort to keep our drinking water safe and our environment healthy. They are spreading the word about the importance of taking steps to protect our environment like minimizing the chemicals we put on the ground, recycling and reusing, respecting nature, and most importantly, staying vigilant and having a voice in helping to keep our environment healthy.
-Words submitted by Betsy Gennosa, Marisa Filarosa, Imad Chaudry, and Mary Rae