Country School Participates in International Coastal Cleanup

On September 17 Country School families and teachers were among 59 volunteers who collected 694 pieces of trash at Grass Island in Guilford for the International Coastal Cleanup, a global effort to document coastal debris and promote a cleaner environment. Cleanup Captain Julie Ainsworth thanked Country School community members for their continued participation, saying, "We are grateful that The Country School community has repeatedly participated in our coastal cleanups. We appreciate their enthusiastic support of our local cleanup efforts."

This annual event is a critical effort locally and globally. Participants pick up trash and record the types and quantities of debris removed. Plastic packaging, food wrappers, and grocery bags topped the list of debris types. The Ocean Conservancy and Save the Sound use the volunteers’ findings to better understand what types of materials are polluting our beaches, and Country School STEAM teachers connect this important service learning opportunity to their in-class, real world lessons.

Grass Island/Circle Beach is a special spot for Country School students beyond International Coastal Cleanup Day. Fourth Grade science students and their PreKindergarten Reading Buddies take an annual field trip there together and collect data for their STEAM study of Long Island Sound. Back in the classroom the students compose haiku based on their experience as well as research and write about a Long Island Sound animal.

For the past 12 years, Country School students have participated in the International Coastal Cleanup, modeling one of the school’s three simple rules: “Take responsibility for yourself and your world.” Beyond International Coastal Cleanup, STEAM students have taken responsibility by working with the Town of Madison and Roberts Food Center to ban the use of plastic bags. Students also inspired school leaders to install solar panels on campus. This spring, while students and teachers were engaging in distance learning because of COVID, solar panels were installed on five buildings, providing the school with 80% of its energy needs.

Founded in 1955, The Country School serves students in PreSchool-Grade 8 on its 23-acre campus in Madison. The Country School honors students’ creativity, sense of wonder, and intellectual curiosity. The school’s integrated curriculum aligns rigorous academics with a commitment to character and leadership development. Learn more and register for our Virtual Open House on October 26 at www.thecountryschool.org.