Hundreds of Roosevelt Middle School Students and Staff to Participate in South End Clean Up

Nearly all students and staff at Roosevelt Middle School will be picking up litter in the South End on Thursday, June 18, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The event is a partnership between Roosevelt Middle School, Operation Clean Sweep, and the City of New Bedford.

“This is an opportunity for students to realize the power of giving back in service to others and to their community,” said Principal Peg Mongiello.

Mayor Jon Mitchell added, “I applaud Ms. Mongiello and her students for heading outside their school building to help improve the neighborhood around them. This has become an annual tradition for Roosevelt at the end of the school year, and it sets a great example of service for children and adults all over New Bedford.”

“We are pleased to have our Roosevelt students and staff dedicated not only to building an excellent middle school, but also to fostering a commitment to serve their neighborhood and give back to their community,” said Superintendent Pia Durkin.

To make it more interesting, the students compete to see which grade picks up the most trash. Each of the three grades is assigned different colored trash bags. The City’s Department of Public Infrastructure will collect the bags of trash and weigh each of the colors separately. The students will also pick up and separate any recyclable material as they go along. In 2014, the students collected 4,380 pounds of trash.

“The Operation Clean Sweep team is proud to be involved in Roosevelt Middle School’s annual cleanup,” said Diane Altman Berube, team member.

Operation Clean Sweep’s next cleanup will also focus on the south end of the city. The cleanup will take place on June 20 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet on Ruth Street between McGurk Street and Salisbury Street. This South End cleanup is being hosted by Me & Ed’s Family Restaurant in partnership with the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the Cove Street Neighborhood Association. For more information, visit www.operationcleansweep.net or like us on Facebook.