Summer EdVenture students Leo Chmut, Eli Ribeiro, Ariel Lusby, Ariana Deedy and staff Thomas Blessis, Kandy Kocol, Christine Vedovelli-Peterson, and Alexandra Brennan celebrate the results of their advocacy. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Intermediate school students who advocated for the Westfield Public School district to ban plastic straws are celebrating a victory.
WPS Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said plastic straws will be eliminated from the district in favor of compostable paper straws starting in September.
The students participated in the Summer Edventure at Highland Elementary last year, and wanted to do something about pollution in the environment. As a group, they decided to take on plastic straws, which are listed as the number five pollutant in the ocean and harmful to marine life.
The students presented their research and findings to the superintendent last August, in the form of a slide presentation, a short video, and a letter they had written making their argument. Czaporowski said that he found their argument compelling, and their passion admirable.
The district took their concerns under advisement, but it was too late in the process to implement the ban in the 2018-2019 school year, Czaporowski said.
This fall, however, the district is going forward with paper straws.
“Westfield School Food Services Department is thrilled to help move our district towards more eco-friendly products in our schools,” said Food Services Director Rachel Kania on Monday. “Students have expressed an interest in seeing plastic straws replaced with compostable paper straws as a start. These paper straws are the perfect compostable choice for drinking straws. They are made of food safe paper and do not contain BPA. Here at Westfield School Food Services we look forward to helping our students achieve their goals for creating a brighter future and a healthier planet,” Kania added.
Several of the students who participated in the project last year, and who are attending the Summer Edventure program this year at Southampton Road Elementary School, expressed their satisfaction this week with the result of their efforts.
“I feel good about the switchover. I’m happy with the decision because it’s better for the environment,” said sixth grader Arianna Deedy.
“I feel awesome that someone in charge listened to what we have to say,” said sixth grader Eli Ribeiro.
Summer Edventure and fifth grade humanities teacher Alexandra Brennan, who also taught the students last year, agreed. “I think it’s important that kids know that they can have an impact on the environment,” Brennan said, emphasizing that they did the research and presentations themselves, and were not led by an outside group or organization.
“This proves that kids can make a difference on their own,” Brennan added.
This year, the students have chosen to do research on another environmental problem, disposable plastic bags. They will be presenting their research next Tuesday at the Southampton Road Elementary School program.
Students were asked whether their success with the plastic straws ban would encourage them to look for other ways they can make an impact.
“That’s why we’re doing the plastic bag presentation,” Ribeiro replied.
