‘Wild’ school assembly teaches students about nature conservation

By Laurie Gordon
SPARTA - There aren't any rhinos in Sussex County, but there is one named Ayubu who is very much alive in a book written by Sparta author, Deborah Stevenson. Local students learned all about him and the importance of nature and wildlife conservation this week in a 'wild' school assembly. On Friday, Stevenson, school librarian Heather Freda, and Art Educator teacher for the Helen Morgan and Mohawk Avenue Schools, Allison Keenan collaborated to teach the children in the district not just about rhinos, but to empower them to stop the poaching that's all too prevalent.
Rhinoceroses are majestic, magnificent, powerful and charismatic creatures. But, as the children learned, these qualities make them popular targets and the rhino horn is in high demand on the global black market: especially in Vietnam.
Students 'visited' rhinos at the San Diego Zoo (via their website kids.sandiegozoo.org).
"They also researched facts regarding rhinos using Pebble Go and completed a mini rhino report, created posters to bring awareness to the poaching of rhinos, and helped to create a time capsule for the future to know what MAS students think about the importance of rhinos," Freda said.
They also used Flipgrid.com to create videos to share information about rhinos.
“In Art, students traced and cut life-sized rhino footprints and compared them to their own foot,” Keenan said. “Inspired by the artist Roman Ondak, students also measured their height with a partner on a life-sized rhino cut out. Students then participated in the Rhino Record Project in support of rhino conservation efforts by creating a collaborative mural that will be part of the Guinness World Record breaking largest painting. The murals painted by third and fourth grade students will be small parts of the larger painting to be displayed in Vietnam.”
An assembly was presented by Stevenson who penned her book, “The Last Rhino,” to build awareness of poaching. The students were especially touched by a video about saving rhinos.
“Everyone of you can do something about this by learning about poaching, learning what is being done to stop it, spreading awareness by telling people and I have some great news, your school will be adopting a baby rhino," Stevenson said.
To the delight of the students, she showed them the photos of the four rhinos in contention to be adopted by the school: Solio, Maariba, Delilah and Maxwell. She told the story of each rhino's situation and the students will get a chance to vote with the winner becoming a ward of the school, abate from many thousands of miles away.
Following the presentation, Freeda said, “My heart totally hurts for these rhinos. I know it's sad, but it's important to do something and The Last Rhino was written to help and each of you can help.”
Jagger Nelson, a Mohawk School 3rd-grader, said, “I loved the presentation and this project and I think it's important to tell people about the rhinos and do what we can to help save them.”
Victoria Vieira, also a 3rd-grader, said, “Today was important to see how we can help the rhinos and I want to donate to this to help them.”
Third grader, Eden Opthof added: “We learned that they need help and what is going on is very wrong.”
With “wrong” often comes the underlying motive of profit. Rhino horns are used in some Asian medicines, which are sold to consumers who believe these animal products can treat such maladies as fever, rheumatism, and gout, or even to cure cancer. Rhino horns are also carved for dagger handles as a coveted status symbol in the Middle East. The illegal trade in animal parts is a profitable business and the demand for these products creates an ongoing temptation for poachers. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies rhinos in its Red List of Threatened Species from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened.
Alexa Snyder and Courtney Zeteunde agreed that Stevenson's book is important.
“I'm going to get the book and spread the word.” Zeteunde said, “It was good to learn that we can do something even though we are far away.”
A portion of The Last Rhino sales benefit Save the Rhinos efforts.
The story begins on the pristine African savannah where baby rhino, Ayubu spends joyful days with his mother, Nthanda an their friend, Imari, the cattle egret. Life is wonderful except for the ever-present threat of poachers. In the face of loss, Ayubu must promise to be brave and survive. In a world where dangers abound, one little rhino perserveres to keep his promise.
"The Last Rhino tells a poignant story in a gentle voice and through kind, brave characters that children are sure to love,” said Keddu Sebunya, President of the African Wildlife Foundation. ”Its premise is sad, but also an important reminder of all that is truly at stake for the endangered rhinoceros. Under the stars, Ayubu wishes for 'somebody else like me.' Here's to Ayubu realizing his dream! In the meantime, every purchase of The Last Rhino supports critically important rhino conservation efforts."
The Last Rhino is available at www.amazon.com and at Sparta Books.