A collaborative project monitoring the restoration of this local wetlands by the Bulldogs (Mrs. Ramsden's 2nd grade at St. Thomas More) and the Tree Swallows (Ms. Rachel's 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade at Forest Grove Community School).

Saturday, October 9, 2010

In the beginning....

Just weeks after the school year began, both classrooms received a letter from Sarah Pinnock, the Education Coordinator at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, requesting help and inviting the students to visit and learn more.  Of course, both classes accepted and prepared for our new partnership.   The Swallows prepared interview questions and practiced interview skills in anticipation of our meet and greet with our new partners, the St. Thomas More Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs prepared a get-to-know-you game that showcased knowledge and appreciation of water studies.
We arrived at the wetlands for the first time this year and the just-introduced "buddies" settled down for lunch and into comfortable conversation.
 In between bites of bologna and cheese and pb & j there was the hum of new friendships forming.
Sarah Pinnock, (our letter writer), then welcomed us and guided the students on an interactive tour to learn more about the restoration project and the need that we would fill.
We learned that there was restoration project underway in a part of the wetlands and that Jackson Bottom needed help monitoring the restoration to measure environmental impact.
Of course, we accepted the project and on October 21, 2010, we will undergo our first extensive wetland  data collection.

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