These Students are Something Hopeful in our Era of Bad News
Let’s take a break from the bad news. Recently, I had the privilege of hearing from three teachers at Fords Middle School in Woodbridge…all of whom deserve a shout out…Franco Caruso, Brittany Egan and Mihalia Sarris. Brittany and Mihalia had been approached by students who wanted to do something for the environment. They decided that building nesting platforms for the American Bittern and having them placed in local wetland areas would be helpful.
Now, you have to understand that there are no longer shop classes in schools, and today, there is no such thing as a simple task. But these teachers, through Franco, reached out to me for some guidance. I was able to get them the materials and have the nesting platforms created as a kit with the help of Maddaluna Landscaping and their foreman, Helder. All the students would have to do is assemble them.
Of course, nothing is simple. However, a final champion appeared and Ms. Jennifer Murphy, the Principal of Fords Middle School jumped in to ensure that the project could move forward….and it has. The students have assembled the platforms…all made of Cedar wood so that they can naturally decay into the wetlands over time and they will soon be placed out for the Bittern’s to use.
This is a lesson for several fronts.
1. The teachers, the students and the principal all cooperated and insisted that they do something for the environment.
2. The size of the project is not important, it is the act of doing and not just complaining that counts.
3. The school reached out to get help when it was needed and people helped when asked.
4. The teachers, students and the principal of the school DID NOT GIVE UP no matter what hurdles were placed in front of them.
5. THEY DID SOMETHING GOOD.
In these times of people trying to be destructive, I have hope because of a group of people working together, starting with little knowledge but being willing to learn, and seeking to do something good for their community. This will not change the whole world, but it is a start…So…CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL AT FORDS MIDDLE SCHOOL, WOODBRIDGE, NEW JERSEY.