It’s not uncommon to see a dead animal on the side of the road, but a dead turtle recently inspired Madison Elementary first-graders in Amy Swihart’s class to take action. According to Swihart, one day last week her class was sitting together for their daily morning meeting. One of her students reported seeing a “squashed” turtle, which led the class to discuss what they could do to save turtles. The first-graders decided to start a campaign to tell drivers to slow down. One way to do that, they decided, was to make signs. “They just wanted to increase awareness,” Swihart said. On Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m., Swihart’s students and their families met in the school cafeteria to make the signs. All but two of the families were able to meet, which Swihart said was a good turnout. The Nicholas family provided turtle-themed refreshments including turtle cupcakes. They also decorated water bottles with turtles that read “Turtle Xing” and “first-grade class.” Since many of the kids travel on Fox Farm Road to school, Swihart said many of the signs will be put up along that road. She said she will ask homeowners to put the signs up in their yards. One day following the turtle discussion, Swihart said a student reported seeing someone intentionally trying to run over a duck. Swihart told the student that if people slow down for turtles, they’d also slow down for ducks.
