TAVARES — On Monday, Nov. 2, students from Tavares Elementary third, fourth and fifth grade classes will spend time learning about a school recycling initiative with the help from the Lake County Department of Environmental Utilities.

Sharon Tatum, Public Education Specialist with the Department of Environmental Utilities, will present an interactive program about the familiar recycling symbol and the terms reduce, reuse and recycle.

“The school is providing a significant opportunity for the students to learn more about recycling,” Tatum said. “This is one of the rare times that we have had the majority of the students in a school participate in an educational program on the same day.”

To assist the school in their efforts, recycling bins have been distributed to each classroom. When the bins are filled, students and staff will be able to dispose of their recyclable mixed paper, newspaper and cardboard in the large commercial size container placed on school property.

After the students learn about recycling and protecting the environment, they will let their voices be heard at the Lake County Board of County Commissioners Board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The students from Debbie Urbon’s kindergarten class will promote recycling and America Recycles Day during their “Walk Down Main Street.” This is the second year the students will walk from their school with raised reduce, reuse, recycle signs and posters on a mission to ask the Board of County Commissioners to proclaim Nov. 15 as Lake County Recycles Day in conjunction with the Annual America Recycles Day.

“We appreciate this opportunity for the students,” said Urbon. “They are having fun, yet it gives them a chance to participate in the political process by meeting local elected officials, by attending a Board meeting and by getting a chance to speak on behalf of the voting public.”

Schools interested in finding out more about recycling can contact the Department of Environmental Utilities at (352) 343-3776. For more information about America Recycles Day or to request a presentation in your community or school, call Sharon Tatum at (352) 343-3776 ext 1663.