Feeding the hungry in Durango? Riverview Elementary School's (RVE) 18 student leaders worked on that problem too, by collecting 1,828 pounds of food for Durango Food Bank and educating their entire school community about food insecurity. They presented their project to the Board of Education during a Work Session on May 6.
All of these efforts were part of RVE’s second annual Better World Day Expo on May 2. Other standout projects included water pollution, animal protection, developing relationships with elders at Sunshine Gardens, and supporting pollinators by planting flowers in community gardens.
Better World Day at RVE was inspired by Better World Week – an annual week-long national event showcasing student learning that contributes to a better world. Students present learning projects and engage in acts of service, demonstrating the power of EL Education’s vision for public school: a place where children become great scholars and active citizens with the capacity to make a positive impact.
Hundreds of family members attended the special event. Grandparents, parents, and younger siblings were given a chance to interview students and ask specific questions in an interactive learning guide. All students were able to explain how their project related to a specific competency in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate vision.
RVE Principal Lindsay Neiman said all grades, Kinder through 5th, presented their learning on how they made the world a better place.
“I think it’s important for kids to know what service learning is all about, and what it means to make an impact and give back to the community,” she said. “Any way that we can help our youth do that is empowering for them.”
