Local Chemical Company Donates $3,000 Environmental Classroom to Russell Elementary

BROOMALL–A perfect day to be spent outdoors, employees at LyondellBasell of Newtown Square, a chemical and fuel research developmental center, spent their Saturday morning doing hard labor.

From painting and constructing to planting and mulching, about 70 volunteers worked hard from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to build an environmental outdoor classroom in front of as part of their annual community service day "Global Care Day."

According to Larry Arndt, an analytical chemist at LyondellBasell and the volunteer coordinator for the day, Global Care Day is part of the company's Explore & Experiment program for elementary, middle, and high school science students.

Last year, LyondellBasell had their Global Care Day at a school in the Havertown school district, where they donated and built an ADA-compliant playground. This year, the company has focused on donating an approximate $3,000 project to Russell.

"We do a lot of work with local schools," said Arndt. "We approach the schools with a project we'd like to do for them. This year's focus was providing an outdoor environmental classroom at Russell."

The outdoor classroom will include a teacher's lecture table and three picnic benches for students that will be located just beside the main entrance of the school in the lawn area in front of the fourth-grade wing.

"It's a great opportunity to let the kids learn that this planet only has a few resources and to respect nature," explained Arndt about the idea of an outdoor environmental classroom.

In addition to the classroom and painting, LyondellBasell has donated a compost machine, where "kids can learn about reusing and recycling," said Arndt.

Russell Principal Dianne Smith said the classroom will be mainly used for science and social studies classes, especially for the fourth-grade due to their curriculum which focuses on the state of Pennsylvania.

"They'll be able to study the plants that are from Pennsylvania and next year we hope to paint a map of Pennsylvania," explained Smith pointing to a side wall by the entrance that was being covered in white paint by volunteers.

Sue Mecouch, the school district's supervisor of science, said the idea to create an environmental, educational classroom was really planted about 10 years ago with the fourth-grade garden club at the time, but only kicked off now with the support of LyondellBasell's donation to the school.

"If they watch these plants grow over a period of time for five years–starting now for the kindergarten class–it's right here in front of them," said Mecouch. "It's amazing to have this [classroom] right here."

According to Mecouch, all the plants planted on Saturday were donated by in Newtown Square.

Volunteers young and old found themselves with paint on themselves, digging in the dirt or breaking a little sweat constructing and building the teacher's lecture table.

For the Mandimutsira family, it was not only a day of service but quality family time.

Beaven Mandimutsira, a volunteer of LyondellBasell from Ardmore, said he brought his wife Josephine, son Spencer, 5, and his two daughters Julie, 8, and Charlene, 11, to share the service day with his entire family and coworkers.

"It's about a day of caring; it's sharing the day with the community and it's a family thing," said Mandimutsira. "It's just nice talking to people and spending time with family."

Charlene, who attends the middle school in Bala Cynwyd, said she didn't mind spending her Saturday working.

"I like that we can help the school by planting flowers," said Charlene. "It's nice to help others."

Amy Arndt, 17, of West Chester, also shared the same sentiments.

"It's nice to help out, especially elementary school kids," said Amy. "It makes learning a bit more fun for them."

LyondellBasell is a worldwide polymer and chemical company with 60 sites located around the world. All 60 sites participate in Global Care Day on the same day in April every year.