Catholic Schools Week: Aquinas students go all in on ‘penny wars’ to benefit animals

GREENSBURG – Aquinas Academy’s Fourth Grade Book Club hosted special furry visitors at the school in December: A small team of therapy dogs came to the school to meet with members, who presented them with a donation they raised through a “penny wars” event.

Classrooms in preschool through sixth grade competed to see which grade could bring in the most coins. The money raised was divided between the Top Dog Therapy Team, a volunteer group based in Westmoreland County, and Animal Friends, a shelter in Allegheny County. 

The nonprofits were fitting recipients for the money. The idea for the “penny wars” sprung from a book the club had read, Alyssa Milano’s “Project Animal Rescue,” in which the main character, Hope, raises money to save her local animal shelter. Club members wondered whether kids could really raise enough money to help an animal shelter, so they decided to give it a try. They were shocked to raise nearly $2,000.

So, who won the war? First grade, sixth grade and the entire fourth grade were the top three contributing classrooms.

School project turns plastic waste into lasting school feature

As plastic pollution continues to pose a significant threat to our environment, it is important for communities to take proactive steps toward combating this pervasive problem. Aquinas Academy is proud to be taking on an initiative that not only addresses the issue of plastic waste but also promotes sustainability: the creation of a bench using recycled plastic bags. 

Plastic bags are among the most common and detrimental forms of plastic waste, often ending up in landfills, waterways and ecosystems, where they can persist for hundreds of years. Aquinas Academy has embarked on a mission to collect and recycle 1,000 pounds of plastic bags, transforming them into a durable, environmentally friendly bench that will benefit the school for years to come. 

The project aims to reduce plastic waste by repurposing plastic bags into a functional and long-lasting bench, thus contributing to the circular economy, minimizing the environmental impact of plastic waste and having a positive impact on the school community

The installation of the bench is an opportunity to educate students about the importance of recycling and responsible waste management.