Little Changes Make Big Difference at Igo School

The following was submitted by Foxborough Assistant Superintendent of School Amy Berdos as part of the Foxborough School Committee Teaching and Learning Highlights

“A little change can make a BIG difference!” according to Igo Elementary Students. How do you do this? Elementary students Matthew Loew, Grace Yucatonis, Nicky Lee and Ava Hill will tell you to start with one small action at a time. These fourth grade students were joined by Igo guidance counselor Ms. Kristen Sidell and Igo librarian Ms. Lesleyann Foster during the Teaching and Learning Highlight at Monday’s School Committee Meeting to share how the simple concept that "kindness matters" has made a larger impact on their school, neighborhoods and the environment. Through a Public Service Announcement (PSA) video they created about how to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Igo students presented ways to be kind and more importantly, how that kindness can grow!

Their PSA project, in recognition and celebration of Earth Day, grew from the collaboration between guidance lessons conducted in classrooms and library classes. Ms. Siddell explained that it really started with guidance lessons in classrooms on how kindness matters and Ms. Foster added that through library classes students connected the concept of kindness from books they were reading to the real impact small changes can have on people, the greater community and the environment. The Igo students made the connection that kindness takes on many forms and one form is showing kindness to animals and the environment. Grace and Ava, through their own leadership, organized a neighborhood recycle contest. They provided their neighbors with checklists on ways to recycle and how to help save the environment. “One way is to reduce the amount of plastic you use and buy reusable bottles,” said Grace. Ava stressed the importance of keeping the Earth clean and warned that if we do not recycle it can damage our environment talking about oceans as an example. Nicky explained the importance of bees to the world and how we must protect them from extinction. As for the neighborhood contest, the top three winners were presented with a trophy Ava and Grace created from recycled materials! Matthew mentioned participating in “Clean Up Foxboro Day” and he is hoping that many others will join him.

To watch the Igo Elementary School PSA message and learn how you can make a difference in saving trees and the environment, as well as how to reduce waste and conserve energy go to the Igo Way website.

Mr. Stanton, proud principal of the Igo Elementary School, expressed his appreciation of all Igo students and staff stating that this project is a great celebration of learning and example of student leadership. It’s just another great example of leading the way at Igo!

Image: File Photo