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SUMMER
2011
7
school.Their final project encompasses all
the skills they have been learning since
preschool which include research, inquiry,
communication, presentation, social, writ-
ing and IT skills. Every PYPX project
is required to have a service component.
Fifth graders are divided into groups – with
a mentor (teacher or parent) assigned to
each. Under the theme of “who we are”, the
groups chose a topic.
“My group was interested in the environ-
ment,” explained Assil Hachem, the team
mentor. “So we went around the city with
cameras and took pictures.”
For the first time in their eleven years of
life, the students really looked at their city.
And they saw it as it is: a concrete jungle
with little greenery.
“We google earthed Paris,” said Noor El
Zein, 11. “Their streets were organized. It
was so different than Beirut.”
It was then that the group turned their
attention to IC and made their plan: they
were going to set the example by planting
potted trees on campus and then replanting
them near the new elementary school when
finished.
Their next search was for an environmental
NGO willing to donate tree shoots. Parents
got involved and Noor’s mother located
one.The children smiled at the news.Their
plan was working.
“Maybe everyone will do what we’re doing
here,” said Omar Anouti, 11.
Aboudi Kalo, 10, couldn’t agree more.
“We will be the inspiration for the people
of Beirut,” he said proudly.
“There are hardly any
trees left, we’re surround-
ed with buildings.”
“We google earthed Paris,
their streets were orga-
nized. It was so different
than Beirut.”
Abi Abdullah showing students the IC Elementary School Planting sheet (see below).