U.S. Water News Online
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- City officials here believe it's never too early to teach kids about protecting the environment.
To promote the importance of water conservation, the Public Services Department sponsored its first poster contest -- open to all elementary school students within the city's water service area. Students must create a slogan or an illustration depicting their own ideas on how people can save water.
``For water conservation, education is the key,'' said Lloyd Hathcock, water conservation coordinator. ``If we focus our efforts in educating youth, they'll grow up to be better stewards of the environment.''
The city's water service area consists of Sunny Isles Beach, Aventura, Golden Beach and parts of unincorporated North Miami-Dade, including Biscayne Gardens, Carol City, and Haulover Beach.
``It's a very cost-effective way to reach and educate children on water conservation,'' Hathcock said. ``At least 850 elementary schoolchildren will have the opportunity to participate.''
When Gerri Boldovitch, an art teacher at Hibiscus Elementary School, learned of the contest, she got her students involved. They submitted 14 posters.
``I'm a firm believer that conservation is everybody's problem,'' she said. ``You have to start teaching kids not to be wasteful at an early age. Hands-on methods are the best way of educating because the concept stays with you.''
Winners will be announced during Drinking Water Week in May. The city has divided the contest into three divisions: kindergarten and first grade, second and third grade, and fourth and fifth grade. First-place posters from each division will be entered into a state contest.
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