More than 65 Hawthorne Elementary students rolled up their sleeves and headed to the shoreline before the summer break, proving that small actions can make a big difference for the environment.
For the second year in a row, teacher Jenna Atkinson organized a beach clean-up project that brought together students, staff, and parent volunteers to help care for a local stretch of shoreline at the beach portion south of the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal causeway, west of the Tsatsu Shores residence.
Ms. Atkinson registered the event with Ocean Wise and partnered with the City of Delta’s Climate Action Team, which provided 30 litter pickers, and arranged for City crews to collect and dispose of the garbage gathered at the event.
The results were impressive.
“We collected approximately six full standard-size garbage bags of trash from the shoreline and walking path along the terminal,” said Ms. Atkinson. “A lot of the debris was from food takeout and other plastics. I recorded our impact with Ocean Wise.”
Students from Ms. Atkinson’s Grade 2/3 class, Ms. Hunter’s Grade 4/5 class, and Ms. Holliday and Mrs. McGill’s Grade 4/5 class all took part in the clean-up effort, alongside several staff and dedicated parent volunteers.
“What makes the project especially meaningful is that it was inspired by the students themselves,” said Ms. Atkinson. “After spending an hour cleaning up the shoreline last year, we felt there was so much more to be done. We have been talking about global citizenship and how we can do our part to help the planet, and this seemed like an ideal way to make a positive impact.”
As students collected litter along the beach and walking paths, they were surprised by some of the items they found, including a discarded tarp, rubber gloves, and even entire takeout meal containers.
“We heard statements like, ‘Why wouldn’t you clean up after yourself?’” said Ms. Atkinson. “I think this field trip experience opened students’ eyes to the fact that one piece of garbage from one person can soon turn into the piles of garbage we saw.”
The clean-up not only helped restore a local shoreline but also provided a powerful lesson in environmental stewardship. By taking action in their own community, Hawthorne students demonstrated what it means to be responsible global citizens—and showed that positive change can start with a simple idea and a willingness to help.