Northfield students help with community cleanup

By Tiffany Litzelman
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, students from Northfield Middle School brought rakes, brooms, gloves, and garbage bags to school in order to participate in the community service act of cleaning up the town.

The students, who are in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, picked up garbage and raked leaves Wednesday afternoon from 1:20 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.

According to Mary Corrigan, a 7th grade English teacher, the Northfield Middle School teachers will be joining the students in their activity.

The clean up is something they have done twice annually, both in the springtime and in the fall for "around 12 to 15 years," Stephen Martin, a Northfield Middle School Math and Science teacher said.

"It's not National Green-Up Day; it is more like a community service activity, but we wanted the kids to get involved and be active in the community," Cynthia Gregoire, a Northfield Middle School Science teacher said.

Although the 6th graders will stay near the school and the parking lots, the 7th and 8th graders will be working throughout the town.

"Around the center part of town, the churches, the United Church bank, the senior center and the common itself," Martin said.

"This week they, (the students), are calling to see if the public library needs it, or the area nursing homes, or churches," said Gregoire. "Also the railroad tracks or other places that they go where people don't normally clean up."

According to Gregoire, the students are advised against picking up certain objects, such as broken glass, tires, and dead animals. While students are encouraged to wear gloves, it is not required.

There have been no parents coming forward with concerns about the students picking up trash, according to Martin. "Sometimes the parents come and join us, especially the one in the springtime, because that's statewide."

According to the teachers, the students enjoy the work. Christie Partlow, 13, an 8th grader said, "It's really fun. You get to be with your classmates, and just work outside together."

Jeff Lawson, 12, a 7th grader, said that the project is, "Pretty cool, I enjoy picking up the trash, because it will give Northfield a better community."

Corrigan said, "I think it brings the class together, because it's good for the town, and they get to learn to help others. I like to watch them do it. It's hard work and it tells me a lot about each kid, who actually does it and who tries to hand back.

"They like to be out and doing something, and it makes people feel good, because the elderly people sometimes watch, and they'll be happy, like, 'oh, our place is going to look nice', but I think we need to lead into it a little bit better, like why it is we do that," Gregoire said.

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