Thursday, March 6, 2014

Garner Elementary School empowers youth with Tigers for Tigers

Tigers for Tigers at Garner Elementary School was a natural fit since our mascot is the tiger and the tiger is embedded throughout the entire campus, from the tiger related street signs to the tiger tail trash containers, to the school’s behavioral expectations that start with the letters of the acronym R.O.A.R.

Our school’s club is a group of nine third and fourth grade STEAM students who excel in their academics and their behavior.  They meet on Tuesday afternoons to plan a strategy to raise awareness on campus of the plight of the tiger. 

After watching a video from the National Tigers for Tigers Coalition, the students were moved by the atrocities being committed against tigers all over the world. The boys and girls were particularly moved to learn that the Caspian and Javan tigers are already extinct and several more are vanishing from the face of the earth.

“I like the Tigers for Tigers club because we can help the tigers from going extinct. If tigers were to go extinct then my children wouldn’t be able to see the tigers in the wild.” –Ana 4th grade student.

After discovering that tigers were being slaughtered for their body parts in order for people to profit, the students were motivated to begin a series of events on campus to raise awareness and to make a difference.

At first, they targeted the student body, by creating posters and displaying them around campus.  They have worked diligently to produce age specific PowerPoint presentations that have been shown on the schools in house television station.

“ I like the Tigers for Tigers coalition because tigers are endangered and we need to do what we can to help save the tigers.” –Silvia 4th grade student

The students have filmed a commercial to be aired shortly to kick off their fundraiser. Concurrently, they have been painting gallon plastic milk jugs with tiger themes to use for their school wide fundraiser. “Quarters for Conservation” will encourage students, parents and teachers to donate quarters at milk jugs placed in classrooms throughout the school.  Funds will go to Tiger Trust India to promote educational outreach.

Future plans include a school wide “Tiger Day Festival” with fun filled tiger related activities.

We will also be working with members of the National Tigers for Tigers Coalition to improve their educational initiative, Cubs for Cubs, by which college students teach local elementary school students about the tigers.

Lastly we have planned a tentative trip planned to take the club members to Big Cat Rescue in nearby Tampa, Florida to see tigers up close and personal.

Ms. Amanda Crane,
4th Grade Teacher
STEAM Academy
Garner Elementary, Winter Haven FL

Josie Pirozzoli
3rd Grade Teacher
STEAM Academy
Garner Elementary, Winter Haven FL

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