LYNN — Callahan Elementary School students got a rare treat Friday morning, by way of the Department of Public Works’ annual “touch a truck day” that was aimed at educating children about trash and recycling.
In partnership with the Department of Public Works, the city’s trash hauler, Waste Management, brought trash, recycling and tree trucks to the elementary school, and they were a hit with students, who could be found touching the trucks and even sitting on the equipment.
The city’s Inspectional Services Department also provided a dogwood tree for students to help plant in honor of Arbor and Earth days.
DPW Associate Commissioner Lisa Nerich said the department tries to host a “touch a truck day” each May in honor of National Public Works Week. The event aims to teach students about the importance of recycling and cleaning up trash.
“This is really important to have the kids connected to what we do in the city,” said Ward 7 Councilor Jay Walsh, who attended the event. “It’s good to get to the kids now and try to explain to them that this is your city too and it’s important to take care of it. It takes everyone’s initiative to not litter and to continue recycling going forward.”
Nerich said members of the Callahan parent-teacher association (PTA) wanted to do a school cleanup in addition to the trucks and tree planting, which prompted the DPW to provide students with trash bags and gloves to pick up trash around the property. The students could then throw the litter into the garbage trucks on their own.
Nerich also helped a group of students raise a new American flag in front of the school in honor of Flag and Memorial days.
PTA members Dawn Maguire and Danielle Giordano, who spearheaded the touch a truck day, said that they always try to do something to honor Earth Day, such as planting trees and flowers or spending time outside.
“This has been such a tough year, so things like this are building great memories for the kids,” said Giordano, the PTA president.
Maguire said events like Friday’s show students that cleaning up trash contributes to the beauty of their school.
“We have a ton of flowers that we’re going to plant,” Maguire said. “The kids are also really listening and quiet. They are really excited to learn about the trucks.”
Principal Jim Kennison said celebrating Earth Day is a big tradition at Callahan, so after not being able to do anything last year because of the pandemic, it was “cool” to be able to hold an event again.
“It’s so nice because we get to be outside and with all the COVID-19 protocols, this is the safest we can be,” Kennison said. “This is the first big event we’ve had all year.”
Different grades were scheduled to meet with Waste Management and DPW workers throughout the day to learn about how the trucks work, ask questions, and get a closer look into the equipment.
Fifth-grade students Alexis Puma, Angelina Mendes and Nathan Suchecki said they were excited to spend the day outside planting flowers and cleaning up their school.
“Things like this help clean up the environment so it’s really good,” said Suchecki.
The students said they like to clean up trash when they see it at parks and fields because it helps to keep animals safe and makes everything look nicer.
Puma and Mendes said they were excited to stay outside and clean up the environment, in place of their math test that was postponed until Monday.
“It’s so nice to be outside in the fresh air,” said Mendes. “I like learning about recycling too.”
Jose Pena, a Waste Management employee, said he was happy to attend the event at Callahan and talk to the students about the recycling and trash trucks. He shared tips on what can and can’t be recycled, and why it’s important to recycle.
“It’s good to show the kids how to recycle and do these things at home so they can teach their parents and families,” said Pena. “It’s great for the young kids to learn this now.”
Waste Management also provided the kids with coloring books and goodie bags that were filled with pencils, chapstick and toy trucks.
“At the DPW, we send out a lot of information about recycling, hazardous waste, and trash schedules,” Nerich said. “It’s good to get the kids involved and teach them about all of this.”
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected]
