At St. Veronica Elementary School, Earth Month isn’t just an event on the calendar—it’s a full-blown celebration of creativity, collaboration, and caring for the planet! From high-energy clean-up challenges to inspiring classroom eco-campaigns, students are jumping into April with purpose and passion. And this year, things got even more exciting with the debut of a tiny but mighty eco-mascot. Meet Earthy—a 3D-printed hero who’s shaking up recycling routines and stealing hearts along the way!
Greener Bins, Brighter Habits
Recycling is a familiar part of school life, but like many schools, St. Veronica was facing a challenge—paper recycling bins were often contaminated with items that didn’t belong. Snack wrappers, tissues, and other non-recyclables were sneaking in, making it harder to process the materials correctly.
That’s when the Think Green Team came up with a fun and effective way to turn things around. Instead of simply reminding students about proper sorting, they decided to celebrate classrooms that do it right—and reward them with a weekly visit from a brand-new mascot.
Earthy is Born: A 3D-Printed Champion for Change!
With the help of St. Veronica’s Office Administrator, Cara, the team brought their idea to life—literally. Earthy is a small, friendly figure that was 3D printed to serve as the face of their recycling efforts. His mission? To promote cleaner, greener habits in a fun and engaging way.
Each week, the school’s recycling team checks classroom bins, and any class with a perfectly sorted paper recycling bin earns a ballot in the Earthy Draw. On Friday afternoons, Earthy quietly travels to a new classroom, ready to greet students on Monday morning. His arrival is always a surprise—and always a big hit!
The new winning class is then celebrated in Monday morning announcements, helping to build excitement and spread awareness across the school.
Earth Month in Full Swing
Earthy’s weekly travels have quickly become a highlight of Earth Month at St. Veronica. As classrooms compete to keep their bins clean, students are learning that small, consistent actions can make a big impact. It’s a creative way to combine environmental responsibility with school spirit—and it’s working!
Earth Month activities go a long way toward helping students connect with environmental values in a tangible way. They’re not just talking about the environment—they’re actively changing their habits, encouraging their classmates, and taking pride in keeping their school clean and green.
Tiny Mascot, Big Message
Earthy may be tiny, but he stands for something mighty: the power of student-led action and the joy that comes from doing the right thing. Through this initiative, St. Veronica’s students are proving that real change can start with something as simple as a clean recycling bin and a little friendly competition.
Whether he’s sitting on a windowsill or perched proudly on a bookshelf, Earthy is a reminder that every classroom has the power to make a difference. His journey may be playful, but the message is clear—when we work together, even the smallest actions can lead to a greener, cleaner future. 💚♻️ #ocsbEarth
