Students Inspired to Help the Monarchs
December 08, 2022
Fourth grade students at Farmington River Elementary School in Otis started their school year learning about Monarch butterflies with their teacher, Bethany Mielke. During their time exploring and researching, Mrs. Mielke received an email from Mass Audubon highlighting the plight of monarchs and their risk of going extinct and asking for “help” by making a donation.
In first and third grade, this same group of students participated in a series of in-school lessons taught by Mass Audubon educators. Their in-depth studies in earlier grades of life cycles, seasons, and adaptations, reinforced their connection to the topic, a commitment to protecting native species, and a fondness for Mass Audubon’s work.
That email inspired the 4th grade students to draft a persuasive essay as a team of environmentalists, to convince their school and greater community members to donate spare change to help make a difference for the monarchs. Students created special monarch-themed collection jars to put out with their essay.
Through their efforts, these amazing students raised $461.31! This gift was donated to Mass Audubon to support our local conservation work, which will benefit butterflies and other threatened species in Massachusetts.
Help Us Help Monarchs
We challenge our community to match the funds the students have raised. We can’t wait to let our friends at Farmington River Elementary School know how much their efforts inspired others to give.
To make a matching gift of any amount, use the “Donate” button below. Select “In honor of” and list Farmington River Elementary School. We’ll take care of the rest. If you wish for your gift to remain anonymous, please list “anonymous” in the personal message field.