The Riviera Ridge School is living out its mission of “purpose beyond self” with festivities on and off campus in honor of Earth Day.
Led by Art teacher Alex Torres, the middle school elective Trash to Treasure helps students create upcycled art through repurposing old items from home or even thrift stores.
In the Service Brigade elective, middle school teacher Rebecca Ryser guides students through the process of selecting a nonprofit to support and empowering students to create a campus-wide service initiative.
The two electives are banding together under the name Trash Brigade at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, April 27-28, to host a booth selling their student-created upcycled, bedazzled and refurbished items.
Students voted on a nonprofit to receive their proceeds and unanimously selected Get Oil Out. The local organization aims to protect the Santa Barbara Channel and coastline from all environmental, economic and aesthetic encroachments by petroleum development.
“We’re so excited to give our students the opportunity to use their creativity, talent, and hard work for an amazing cause,” Torres said. “The students are proud of the items they’ve designed and are thrilled to get to share them with the SB community on such a special day.”
Students created and scheduled presentations across campus to encourage the whole school community to contribute items the young artists could use for upcycling in their artist’s workshop.
“The service brigade elective gives students the chance to take ownership over their service ideas,” Ryser said. “Not only are they learning about how good it feels to give back, they are learning communication, organization, marketing, and public speaking skills.”
Middle school electives are one of Riviera Ridge’s signature programs. Three times a year, students get the opportunity to select from an assortment of STEAM2 offerings (science technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and movement).
“This elective collaboration is one of those experiences that can really make an impact on a child and influence their future choices as they grow into young adults,” Ryser said.
The Riviera Ridge Family Association also hosted a beach cleanup at Arroyo Burro Beach in collaboration with local nonprofit Explore Ecology.
On campus, students enjoyed visits from the Surfrider Foundation featuring playing sustainability bingo, learning about recycling and reducing plastics education, and partnering with GetWise to become energy efficiency heroes through at-home kits and tools.
“Preserving our planet is top of mind, and we aim to approach all of our endeavors with a strong environmental consciousness,” said Chris Broderick, head of school. “Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate everything we’re currently doing to preserve the environment and continue to innovate in order to find solutions to climate change.”
For more, email info@rivieraridge.org or call 805-569-1811 ext. 131.