The entire school population at Paden City Elementary School came outside in the sunshine for the morning events on April 17. They were getting an early start in celebrating Earth Day, which was April 22, as part of the character principle of Citizenship.

The day started with a demonstration of an alternate source of energy for getting to school - calories! Three adults paddled their way up the river in kayaks.

Principal Tammy Chambers, Guidance Counselor Donna Borders and Dr. Neil Marshall waved to students and faculty from the inlet of the Ohio River that runs in back of PCES, then pulled their kayaks ashore. They had started at 7:45 a.m. at Paden City Park with more than enough time to get to school.

When everyone gathered around the school circle, blooming with tulips and daffodils, Border led the discussions with a portable mike and amplifier system. Each grade had the chance to say what they have been learning about the Earth.

Kindergartners told about what trees give to people. Oxygen, shade, homes for animals, food and wood were some of the answers.

The first grade had been studying the three R’s of minimizing wastes: reduce, reuse and recycle.

The students gave examples of each.

The second grade students gave information about protecting the Ohio River. The third graders told of ways to save electricity and other forms of energy.

Everyone turned their attention to the large posters on the school building and the fourth grade groups assembled to give their presentations. The projects were: hydropower, coal, natural gas, solar power, saving energy and electricity. The students all did remarkable work.

Moving on to the fifth grade posters, students presented their study of run-off pollution and told the interesting history of Earth Day. The sixth grade’s project was on the ecosystem of vegetation - what plants consume and how they decompose.

The finale of the eventful morning was the announcement by the Paden City Garden Club of the Arbor Day poster, poetry and essay contest winners.