Addison Trail Link 2 students help the environment through reusable shopping bag project

When students in the Link 2 program at Addison Trail learned about the negative impact of pollution and climate change on the environment, they wanted to make a positive difference.

The students asked staff members to donate Addison Trail T-shirts they no longer use, and they’ve turned those items into reusable shopping bags. Those bags are available for staff and students to buy for $2 each, and proceeds will benefit the Link 1 and Link 2 programs. So far, the class has made about 75 bags, and there are plans to continue making more. Students also made signs to market and advertise the bags.

Freshman Brandace Gill said it’s important to protect the environment to ensure our food supply is healthy and we don’t destroy areas that might be home to endangered species or might have potential materials to help cure diseases.

Addison Trail special education teacher Jessica Sokolowski said students also learned about careers they could pursue to help the environment. Through the reusable shopping bag project, students are learning how to handle money, interact with customers and improve their social skills.

Sokolowski also e-mailed Discovery about the project and requested the students' efforts be shared on Twitter at #StartWith1Thing. To recognize the work of the Link 2 students, Discovery sent the class materials about other professionals and projects who are working to positively impact the environment, as well as an advanced copy of the film "Racing Extinction," which will air on Dec. 2 on Discovery. For details about the film, go to http://racingextinction.com.

"It all starts with changing one small thing," Sokolowski said. "We can all make a difference. It's our responsibility to speak for those who cannot."