Essay topic for kids: How to stop littering
Commissioner Garcia visits P.S. 127 to help launch contest
Children in Southwest Brooklyn are being asked to put on their thinking caps and come up with ideas on how to stop their fellow New Yorkers from littering.
And if the kids do a good job, they’ll win pizza!
City Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia came to P.S. 127 in Bay Ridge on Tuesday to help launch an anti-litter essay contest for elementary school students in state Sen. Marty Golden’s district.
The essay contest, called “Don’t Drop It,” was developed by Kim Parker, a Bay Ridge resident. Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-Southwest Brooklyn) is administering the contest.
Students in grades three, four and five are invited to write their ideas to help stop litter, boost awareness of the importance of cleanliness and keep city streets cleaner.
The first, second and third place winners will be awarded a monetary prize and a pizza party for their class.
Garcia and Golden announced the contest at a student assembly at the school, located at 7805 Seventh Ave.
“By participating in the essay contest you can draw attention to the fact that litter has a negative effect on our communities. I encourage you to put on your thinking caps and tell your family and friends how we can work together to keep our neighborhoods and city clean,” Garcia told the children.
“It is our goal to make a difference and to do something that will have a long term effect on making our streets, parks and schools cleaner,” Golden said. “The many students who will write essays will make sure that the message that littering is wrong and destroys our quality of life will be heard throughout the community.”
P.S. 127 Principal Agatha Alicandro, who welcomed Garcia and Golden to her school, was also joined by Community Education Council District 20 President Laurie Windsor and representatives of other schools taking part in the essay contest.
Windsor said the contest will be an important educational tool. “As tomorrow’s future leaders, it’s never too early to instill in our students the need to take an active role in helping and preserving our neighborhoods,” she said.
The deadline for the essay contest is Nov. 13. All essays are to be returned to Golden’s office at 7408 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y., 11209.
The winners will be selected and will receive their prizes at a ceremony to be held on Dec. 3.
For more information, call Golden’s office at 718-238-6044.