Trash Talk at SMS

There is trash talk going on at Shuswap Middle School and it’s a great thing!

Teacher Kira Limber explains that last year Shuswap Middle School’s Environmental Student Leadership group really wanted to improve the school’s waste management. They worked together to put together some information and then the group got to work spreading the word!

“The students did presentations at assemblies demonstrating proper recycling and composting. They really did a great job of informing the school body about the importance of taking care and thinking before we throw things in the garbage,” said Limber. “The presentations went so well that the students had the idea of getting the word out to other schools.”

So three students, (Etoile Brown, Vienne Bredick, and Aurealia Beaumont), Limber and another teacher very interested in environmental stewardship, Ceren Caner, met to begin creating a script and trying to make a video. The group ran out of time last year, but knew that this would be their first project they tackled in the new school year.

In the meantime, Serena Caner and Sonya Rokosh secured funding for the project, including a grant from Shuswap Community Foundation and support from the Farm to School program.

“And we were a go,” said Limber. “I met with the girls over a few lunch hours and we added to the script, did revisions and practiced. The video was shot at SMS over one morning session in an empty classroom. It was a very organic process, with the girls trying different takes, changing and adding to the script as we went.”

Rokosh, who is a teacher on call as well as working for the Farm to School program, explains Shuswap Community Foundation was the funding source. “It was great to have the local support for the project.”

She explains she will deliver some of the video to classes and help facilitate a waste audit. “Anyone can do one on their own, but sometimes it is nice to have guidance the first time.”

“It is great learning, and such an informative film. I am really excited about this.”

Rokosh added she has just recently met with the local chapter of the Shuswap Environmental Education Provincial Specialist Association, who are really keen to use it to re-invigorate “Green Teams” in classes and use it as a multi-faceted tool within the district.