Third-grade students at Gurney Elementary School felt passionate about fighting climate change and to support their efforts, sent a letter to Chagrin Falls Mayor William Tomko.
Letter on Climate Change Sparks Visit from Chagrin Falls Mayor and President Pro-Tem
Third-grade students at Gurney Elementary School felt passionate about fighting climate change and to support their efforts, sent a letter to Chagrin Falls Mayor William Tomko. The letter, spearheaded by third-grade student Maia De La Cruz, covered the students’ concern over the lack of response to the problems that climate change causes worldwide.
They mentioned that Gurney’s Assistant Principal Curtis Howell encouraged them to write to people in positions of power.
Chagrin Falls Village President Pro-Tem Erinn Grube responded to the letter and arranged for her and the mayor to come to Gurney and speak to the students about what they can do to help.
Grube wrote, “Honestly, the message here isn’t one huge thing but rather helping people find the many small things they can do together to make an impact.”
Mayor Tomko and Grube came to speak to the students on Nov. 22. The village officials explained that much like it takes several people to lift a heavy object, the same goes for systematic change and cultural shifts. They then touched on some of the things that Chagrin Falls has done thus far relating to energy conservation and recycling.
Some of these included changing to LED lights, investing in tree canopies, committing to recycling programs, stormwater management, strategic vehicle upgrades and using native species in plantings as well as rain and butterfly gardens. Grube said that acts as small as not using single use plastic bottles, picking up litter and choosing green energy in the home can make a difference when multiplied.
Sandra Goodin is the students’ third grade teacher and Howell said, “Her willingness to give her students the freedom to do this is a huge reason this happened.”
Grube said, “Thank you to Gurney’s teachers and administration for all you do to empower the kids. I love that you helped these students recognize their voices and their job to use that voice for the greater good.”
