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Students Steward Shared Spaces for Civics
Lower School students have been working together to do their civic duty and maintain shared spaces on campus.
Civics is all about being a good member of a community—whether that’s a classroom, the school, a neighborhood, or the broader community. At Parker, civic responsibility and environmental care go hand-in-hand. This year, a pair of JK teachers has been leading a civics initiative focused on teaching the youngest learners what it means to be true stewards of shared spaces.
Teachers Stacy Buehler and Tisha Johnson have been meeting by grade with students from Junior Kindergarten through 5th grade to introduce them to the concept of stewardship and provide them a dedicated time and space to take action.
In each gathering, teachers reminded students of the collective accomplishments of Lower School students in their combined civic action last year, resulting in:
- Aluminum can collecting success: Students collected 5,637 cans (totaling 1,090 pounds of food) and raised money for the Pilsen Food Pantry.
- Environmental impact: Together, students recycled 197 pounds of aluminum and lined up more than 2,250 feet of cans, directly benefiting families in need and helping protect the environment.
Teachers then introduced this year’s project, expanding on the success of last year’s efforts by teaching students about the concept of stewardship. Teachers explained that being a steward means:
- Noticing: Paying attention to shared spaces—like the Heller Auditorium, gym, fields, and courtyard—and noticing when something needs care
- Acting: Taking action to clean up or care for a space, even if it isn’t your own personal mess
- Passing it on: Modeling responsible habits so others learn to be good stewards, too
JK teachers introduced the concept of “Leave No Trace” and “Matter Out of Place”—rules often seen on nature trails and at parks. The goal is simple: Whenever students use a space (whether playing in the courtyard or eating lunch outside), they leave it as good as—or better than—they found it.
Each homeroom was then assigned to one of three shared spaces on campus: the courtyard, turf field, or playground. Students were provided with latex gloves to wear while picking up refuse in their assigned spaces while teachers held garbage bags to contain the waste and milk crates to accommodate misplaced items for safe return to the school’s Lost and Found.
Teachers have already noticed that, since they initiated this curriculum. these shared spaces stay tidier for longer periods of time—a great first step for a clean future. By working together, Parker can empower students—from JK through 12th grade—to take pride in their environment and make the school, city, and world a cleaner, kinder place for everyone.
Click here for photos.
Click here for photos.
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.