Students shed light on a global lights-out event
By Michaela Kennedy

Deb Barone's advisory class prepared flyers announcing Earth Hour and mailed them to all of the businesses on Jamestown. Four of the students who worked on the project, from left, are Seamus Murray, Brooke Doherty, Devin Bridgman, and Alex Jordan. Photo by Michaela Kennedy

A seventh grade advisory class at Lawn Avenue School has brought its group learning curve to a global level. The green-thinking youngsters are asking all islanders to turn off or dim their lights for one hour on Saturday evening, in recognition of Earth Hour, a global event.

The students wanted to do something as a group, and supporting the world-wide message to save energy got their attention. "On March 29, at 8 p.m., join us for the second annual Earth Hour," Seamus Murray encourages islanders. "No matter where you are, you can turn off your lights for Earth Hour. Even though we are a small town, we can still make a change."

Advisory teacher Deb Barone claims that she had nothing to do with the students' decision to promote Earth Hour. "This is Random Act of Kindness Month," explains Jack Tregenza. The students brainstormed ideas of how they would like to express a kind act. Then they voted on their favorite. "Other classes are coming up with ideas, too, this month," Tregenza adds, giving credit to other advisories for similar activities of compassion.

Sean Stafford brought in the winning idea, found in an issue of World Wildlife Fund magazine. "My parents subscribe to WWF, and I saw it on the back," he says. The global movement started last year in Sydney, Australia, where residents decided to do something to create energy efficiency awareness, Stafford adds. This year, the idea has touched many places throughout the planet, from Toronto to Tel Aviv.

The seventh grade students are spreading the word this week with orange flyers. The students, calling themselves, "Kids That Care," are encouraging people to talk up the Saturday night hour, and merchants to hang the signs in places of business. "This is to remind ourselves of what we are doing environmentally and how change is needed," the flyers read.

The biggest obstacle for the class to overcome was the logistics of how to carry out their message. Barone stepped in to advise the students about how to advertise the event, and also gain administrative support for their cause. "We talked about how we were going to do it," Nick Anding said. "We first needed to get approval from Mrs. Almanzor, the principal, and Mr. Kitts, the facilities manager."

Through the promotion of Earth Hour, the middle school class has learned how to execute a public action by following a step-by-step process with teacher guidance. After getting approval from the administration, Alex Jordan and Devin Bridgman wrote the copy for the public announcement. Barone helped them make the flyers and prepare a direct mailing to all island businesses.

Advisory groups are used as a tool to achieve personalized learning by building supportive teacher and student relationships, according to the Rhode Island Department of Education. At Lawn Avenue School, each advisory group meets a few times a week for a half hour. Barone's advisory has proven that the possibilities for achieving personal goals can reach global heights.

"This is a wonderful thing the kids are doing," Almanzor says. "I hope as an island we can come together and support their effort."