Earth Day Celebration

April 22 was Earth Day and many activities were planned to celebrate and raise awareness of issues concerning our planet. The GAIS Vorschule, second and fourth grade students spent the morning with students at the Lexington Elementary School, another IB World School in Los Gatos, while their first , third and fifth graders spent the morning with our students at our school.

Our theme for Earth Day was "We Make the World More Beautiful". Students at both schools had read the children's book Miss Rumphius beforehand. The main character in the story decides to plant lupines wherever she travels. In Los Gatos, kindergartners planted lupine seeds in pots made of recycled newspapers; second graders painted nature scenes of lupines; and fourth graders went on a nature "scavenger hunt" to acquaint our students with their campus. Second and fourth graders were also involved in writing poetry about nature with their new friends. All grades engaged in PE activities involving cooperative learning with the Los Gatos District's PE specialist.

At GAIS students first got acquainted through cooperative games. Later our first graders shared their unit knowledge of life in the oceans, estuaries and rivers with the Lexington first-grade students, who in exchange taught our students about bird habitats. Together they created beautiful bird and ocean collages which can be seen at each school. Third graders exchanged wildflower seeds and created Earth Day flags. Lexington's fifth graders were inspired by our 5th Grade Exhibition, as they are preparing for their own at the end of May.

During recess, at each campus, students created an Earth Day poster with individual student pledges focusing on ways to save the environment. The poster can be admired on the way to the school yard. Finishing the day, each school serenaded the other with Earth Day songs.

Thanks to all the parents who donated snacks and drinks. Thanks to the parent volunteers for their support driving to Los Gatos and serving food, and to the staff at GAIS and Lexington for their many hours of preparation to ensure the day was meaningful for students from both schools.

Maike Silver, PYP Coordinator