At Shrub Oak International School, Earth Day is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to celebrate the planet we all share and deepen our students’ connection to the natural world. This year, on Tuesday, April 22, we marked Earth Day with a series of hands-on, joyful, and meaningful activities that highlighted environmental stewardship, creativity, and healthy living.
Some of our students volunteered their time and energy to participate in an Earth Day Cleanup. With gloves on and trash bags in hand, they worked together to pick up litter and help beautify our campus and surrounding outdoor spaces. This effort was about more than just cleaning up—it was a way for our students to take pride in their environment and see the tangible impact of their actions. It also provided a valuable opportunity to practice teamwork, responsibility, and civic engagement, all while enjoying the fresh air and working toward a shared goal.
In a more symbolic gesture of renewal and hope, students also released butterflies in honor of Earth Day. As they opened the containers and watched the butterflies take flight, students had a chance to observe nature’s delicate beauty up close. The butterfly release served as a visual reminder of transformation and growth—principles that resonate deeply with our school’s mission. Moments like these offer powerful sensory experiences that enrich our students’ understanding of the world around them and reinforce the importance of protecting all living things.
In celebration of the earth’s bounty, Shrub Oak students and staff also enjoyed a healthy and delicious activity: making fresh fruit smoothies. Using a variety of fruits and wholesome ingredients, students blended their own nutritious drinks and learned about the benefits of natural, unprocessed foods. These smoothies not only tasted great, but they also tied into our broader commitment to health and wellness, helping students understand how the choices they make—both for the planet and for their bodies—are interconnected.
To round out the day, our students expressed their appreciation for nature through art. They created Earth-themed pieces that reflected their personal experiences with the environment and the themes of the day. Whether painting, drawing, or building with natural materials, students used their creativity to celebrate the beauty of the natural world. These projects gave them a voice to express what Earth Day meant to them and allowed for moments of reflection, connection, and pride in their work.
As a therapeutic school that integrates experiential learning across all areas of development, we believe that events like Earth Day provide essential opportunities for growth. Through volunteering, science, nutrition, and the arts, our students were able to engage with environmental topics in ways that were accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful. We are proud of the enthusiasm and care our students showed on Earth Day, and we remain committed to helping them build a lifelong respect for the planet. By participating in these activities, our students not only celebrated Earth Day—they helped make it matter.
