1st Graders at Fieldston Lower recently teamed up with 6th and 7th Graders from Fieldston Middle to help prevent birds from flying into the glassy walls of the middle school.
The students from both divisions met outside, in the space between their two buildings. Courtnay Hull, Fieldston Middle Science Chair and 6th Grade Teacher, introduced her students, who taught the 1st Graders about the importance of protecting birds. According to NYC Audubon’s research, between 90,000 and 230,000 of these migrating birds are killed in New York City each year in collisions with building glass. Angele Renard, Fieldston Middle French Teacher and leader of the Environmental/Urban Garden Club, shared field guide cards with 1st Graders to show them the types of birds they’re helping to protect.
1st Graders created silhouettes of birds and other creative items — ice cream cones, pizza slices — that will discourage birds from flying towards the windows. The 1st Graders excitedly handed over their creations to the thankful 6th and 7th Graders. The Fieldston Middle students, in partnership with the ECFS facilities team, will hang the silhouettes in the windows of the middle school.
“This is why I love ECFS,” says Joe McCauley, Principal of Fieldston Lower. “The Fieldston Middle students were excited and eager to partner with our 1st Graders and to collaborate with them to help protect birds. Many of the Fieldston Middle students were Fieldston Lower alums and commented on all they remembered from their bird study in 1st Grade. It was inspiring to see their 1st Grade curriculum still resonating with them many years later.”
