Thank you to students from Binghamton University’s “Emerging Leaders Program” for visiting Port Dickinson Elementary School on November 16. The group spoke with second grade students about ways to help protect the environment.

The “Emerging Leaders” group discussed how climate change can impact food shortages. They also shared ways that students can make a positive difference such as growing a community garden, joining a cleanup, planting trees, educating others, and reusing, reducing and recycling.

The “Emerging Leaders” group told students that every small action counts. Each second grade student was able to plant their own marigold seeds to bring home.

“The future of our environment and the world is really in the hands of the younger generation and it’s especially important to teach them the basics of sustainability. Even if this is just us planting a small seed of education and a little interest in sustainability, hopefully it can blossom into something that’s much bigger,” said Jenifer Weng of the “Emerging Leaders Program.”

Chenango Valley Director of Curriculum Dr. Andrew Blaine attended a poster symposium at Binghamton University on December 3. He met with Emerging Leaders group members who visited Port Dickinson Elementary second grade students in November. This piece of the group's Service Learning Project was shared as part of their presentation. 

Chenango Valley is grateful for this community partnership and hopes to continue additional partnership opportunities in the future.