Turrill Elementary School students work together to raise funds for endangered animals

A group of Turrill Elementary School students held fund raisers recently and collected $300 for the American Association of Zoo Keepers for the preservation of endangered animals.

Students in Mrs. Cheryl Roy’s fifth grade class and Mrs. Phyllis Van Horn’s split fifth and sixth grade class held a two-day bake sale, a stuffed animal day and an East/West Day to raise the money.

“I’m proud of all the students for taking an active interest in such an important issue and raising money for it,” said Mrs. Roy.

According to AAZK’s website, the organization “supports the promotion and implementation of zookeeper education and strives to make the general public aware of our concern for all deserving conservation projects and the need for the preservation of our natural resources and the species that depend on those resources.”

Turrill Elementary School students enjoy Earth Day learning in story and song

Earth Day in song and story delighted the second and third grade students and the classroom of Mrs. Kyle Rhein at Turrill Elementary School on Wednesday, April 22nd.

Ms. Evie Boss, a musician listed in the Arts and Humanities Touring Program, brought her own musical compositions and displays to the Turrill classrooms.

Turrill teachers, Mrs. Cheryl Roy and Mrs. Liz Foster, attended a fall Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference and saw Ms. Boss, a retired middle school science teacher from Rochester Schools.

“After seeing her enthusiasm at the conference, we decided to bring her to Turrill Elementary to help build on our outdoor education program,” said Mrs. Foster. “For the past six years, the gardens, wood lot reclamation and plantings have been an integral part of our science education for Turrill students.”

Students enjoyed the music and entertaining way of presenting information on animals and the environment at the daylong programs.

Wednesday’s activity was funded in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Humanities Council.

Photos are available on the District’s photo gallery.