“We want to make the school more beautiful” Grover Washington Middle School students said of their six-year old school on Olney Avenue. Through their Earth Force community inventory, they discovered a major problem resulting from illegal trash dumping along the school’s driveway which bordered an industrial facility. The area had become a hazard and an eyesore, where the students found all kinds of litter and debris - from broken glass to tires. Science teacher Brian O’Neill’s 8
th grade “First Impression” class took on the challenge of improving the area, along with another lot near the railroad tracks in back of the school.
After appealing to Cardone Industries for assistance, the students received a $100 gift certificate to Home Depot which they used to buy materials and tools. Working during class, after school and on Saturdays, they removed the trash and accumulated debris. The students then took action to enhance the beauty of the school grounds by creating a garden and improving the existing landscaping.. They removed wires that were girdling trees and planted bulbs and sunflowers. With the help of the building engineer, they took measurements and designed a bench for their newly created garden. They recommissioned a trellis that was used in the school science club’s project at the Philadelphia Flower Show and placed it in the garden to provide support for rose bushes. In addition to installing a “no dumping” sign at the new garden site, students designed a large circular welcome sign for the entrance to the school.
Including the 7th grade autistic support students as assistants on the project was a positive experience for everyone involved. As one student noted, “I learned that some kids may act differently from us, but they can do some things even better than we can!” Another student reported that her partner opened up to her and impressed her with his ability to sort seeds for the beautification project. Along with improving the school’s outside environment, the project gave all students involved the benefit of making connections with the school’s commercial neighbor, nonteaching school staff and differently-abled fellow students.