RUSSELL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LAUNCH THRIFTY T’S TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY AND CREATIVITY $0--&$5*7*5 r$0..6/*5:
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
initiative includes five sub-groups, each dedi- cated to a different aspect of sustainability and student interest. One sub-group, the Paper Cutters, is collecting paper waste from the school and transforming it into high-end cardstock. The process involves cutting and shred- ding paper, adding water to form a pulp, and pressing it into craft paper sheets. The resulting paper is ideal for making gift tags, greeting cards and book covers, which students plan to sell at the RHS Store. Proceeds will support tree-planting efforts at the school and throughout the broader community. Jacob Lopes, a Grade 8 student
Grade 7 and 8 students at Russell High School (RHS) are gaining real-world entrepreneurial experience while promo- ting sustainability through an innovative initiative called Thrifty T’s. This student-led project, inspired by the school’s Timberwolves moniker, involves upcycling old clothing and materials to reduce waste and raise awareness about the environmental impact of consumer trends. Thrifty T’s focuses on repurposing used clothing and materials in creative ways. The
A student in Thrifty T’s “Sustainable Styles” group sews recycled bobs. (Upper Canada District School Board)
and member of Paper Cutters, said he joined the group after seeing how much paper was being wasted—including blank sheets—and wanting to make a difference. “When I think of how much paper I’ve seen just being wasted—I’ve seen kids throw out blank pieces of paper—I wanted to help with that,” said Lopes. "OPUIFSTVCHSPVQ '*/$)$MPUIJOH HJWFT old T-shirts a second life by printing custom graphics on them. Students collect shirts, create designs using Canva, and transfer the graphics onto fabric. The shirts are sold to fellow students, with half the profits rein- vested into the project and the other half donated to homeless shelters and food banks. Other Thrifty T’s sub-groups include Sus- tainable Styles and The Quilting Project. In these groups, students use donated clothing, scissors and sewing machines to design new fashion items and quilts. These activities highlight the environmental impact of fast fashion while giving students hands-on experience in textile design and sewing. Grade 8 student Zoe Coutlee, a member of Sustainable Styles, said the initiative helps counter the problem of cheap, low-quality clothing and allows students to create comfortable, long-lasting pieces to donate to those in need. “Sustainable Styles helps with fast fashion and cheap, low-quality clothing,” said Coutlee. “I love fashion, so being able to create clothing is great, and we’re giving some away so people have clothes to wear that are comfortable and will last. It’s just really nice to see.” A clothing rack displaying upcycled garments has been placed in the school foyer for students to access for free. One of the most popular items so far has been reversible bucket hats. Completed quilts and sensory blankets are also being donated to seniors and to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia in the community. A student-driven program with real-world impact Thrifty T’s was born out of the Student Specialist Program at RHS—an initiative that offers students opportunities to develop skills and explore the curriculum through extracurricular, high-interest activities. At the beginning of each school year, teachers pres- ent a range of options, including robotics, athletics, cooking, drama, hair and makeup, and creative writing. Students choose what interests them, and as the year progresses,
they are encouraged to provide feedback and help shape future programming. After participating in several rounds of the program, some students gravitated toward sustainability-focused activities that fostered creativity, community involvement and entre- preneurship. This led to the creation of Thrifty T’s, which has quickly become a popular choice among Grade 7 and 8 students. “It’s been a lot of fun working with the Grade 7s and 8s and seeing their ideas actually become something,” said Samantha Berube, a Grade 11 student in the Specialist )JHI4LJMMT.BKPS 4)4. QSPHSBNi*UTCFFO a great experience because we’ve been mentoring, but we’ve been learning stuff too.” The initiative’s impact has extended to PUIFSHSBEFTBOEDPVSTFT4)4.CVTJOFTT students in Grade 11 have joined as men- tors, helping oversee financial and orga- nizational aspects of the project. Berube said it’s been rewarding to guide younger students and watch their ideas grow into real, NFBOJOHGVMQSPKFDUT'FMMPX4)4.TUVEFOU Serenity Prieur said it’s fulfilling to support others in reaching their goals and making a difference. “Knowing that you’re playing a part in helping people make a difference and helping them achieve what they want to do,” said Prieur. Support and future growth 5ISJGUZ5TBMJHOTXJUIUIF6QQFS$BOBEB %JTUSJDU4DIPPM#PBSET 6$%4# GPDVTPO Real-World Learning—an approach that connects classroom knowledge to real-life application. Earlier this year, Thrifty T’s students presented their project to the 6$%4# 3FBM8PSME -FBSOJOH 5FBN BOE successfully secured funding to purchase sewing machines, paper shredders and other materials. “The biggest goal of the Student Spe- cialist Program here at RHS is to increase student engagement in their learning,” said Jennifer Dobbin, Grade 7/8 resource and special education teacher. “It’s very much student-led and based on interest, so they are creating these groups where they get to focus on something they’re actually pas- sionate about.” Looking ahead, Thrifty T’s students hope to expand their initiative by involving feeder schools and future RHS students. They also plan to build new community partnerships and introduce additional sustainability-fo- cused activities in the years to come.
Grade 8 students from Russell High School and Zoe Coutlee and Jacob Lopes, members of the band Thrifty T’s, present a display of free recycled clothing near the school’s main entrance. (Upper Canada District School Board)
P000047-1
est à la recherche de Conseillers ou conseillères en publicité La Compagnie d’édition André Paquette inc., éditeur des journaux Le Carillon et la Tribune-Express , de Hawkesbury (Ontario), Vision , de Rockland (Ontario), Reflet-News , d’Embrun (Ontario), et L’Argenteuil , de Lachute (Québec),
Exigences: • Aimer relever des défis • Posséder de l’entregent • Posséder de l’expérience dans le domaine de la vente
• Être bilingue (français, anglais), écrit et oral • Faire preuve de détermination et de créativité • Respecter les heures de tombées • Être capable de travailler en équipe et avec un minimum de supervision • Posséder une voiture et l’utiliser pour le travail avec un minimum de supervision le travail
Rémunération : Salaire de base plus commissions plus commissions
Date d’entrée en fonction : Le plus tôt possible Lieu de travail : À déterminer Envoyer votre curriculum vitae à : La Compagnie d’édition André Paquette Inc. a/s Yvan Joly, Directeur des ventes C.P. 1000, 1100 Aberdeen Hawkesbury (Ontario) K6A 3H1 ou par courriel: yvan.joly@eap.on.ca tôt possible uette Inc. ca
www.editionap.ca p.ca
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online