Mayor Spencer made his last stop of the school year at 12th and Marion Elementary School to award the 4th grade class with his “Mayor’s Kids for A Clean City” Recycling Education Program citation for excellence in recycling both at school and at home.
The program is a partnership between the Reading School District and the City of Reading to educate 4th grade students on the importance of recycling common household goods and school materials. Education Program Director Mike Schorn, who has led the program since its inception seven years ago, teaches students the proper procedures for recycling with hands-on classroom presentations. Schorn visits 4th grade classes in the elementary schools throughout the school year, and returns with the Mayor to recognize those schools that excel at recycling.
“These children are our future, and if we can get to them early enough, and teach them how important it is to recycle, the benefits will last for decades to come,” said the Mayor. “These students take what they learn from the Recycling Education Program and hopefully convince everyone at home to recycle as well, and that goes a long way towards saving the amount of garbage that we truck to landfills, and saves the City money as well.”
The City Recycling Education Program currently serves all Reading School District 4th graders, as well as four additional private schools in the City. The program has reached 50 classes in 16 schools, and has educated approximately 1,650 children about the importance and value of recycling. As part of the program, students are taught the essential need for respect and responsibility in their schools and neighborhoods, along with a demonstration of materials that are accepted in the City of Reading’s curbside collection program. Schorn also talks about industrial landfills, showing pictures of what landfills look like. Each child is then given a certificate which outlines a pledge to be respectful and responsible at home and at school while acting as advocates for spreading the positive message about recycling.
This school year, the Mayor visited four of the most successful recycling schools during an assembly of all 4th Grade students where he personally congratulates them on their recycling efforts. The assemblies allow the students to spend some time with the Mayor, and to ask any questions they might have.
A former teacher, Mayor Spencer looks forwards to his visits to the schools, and enjoys recognizing the students for their recycling achievements. “They’re helping to keep our City clean and safe, and I always enjoy being back in a school. What I don’t enjoy is learning that some of these students are the grandchildren of students I taught, and that doesn’t make me feel any younger,” the Mayor joked.
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