Sonoco, headquartered in Hartsville, SC, has partnered with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) to sponsor a new educational program in Charleston County elementary schools. Dr. James Braunreuther, CSO Board Member and Fine Arts Coordinator for the Charleston County School District (CCSD), has developed a curriculum and an engaging musical program for third and fourth grade students. The program titled, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” launched with a teacher training session on August 8, 2014. “Education is a cause very near and dear to Sonoco’s heart,” said Rodger Fuller, Sonoco senior vice president and president of Sonoco Recycling, which handles municipal recycling for Charleston County. “We’ve worked very hard to provide opportunities for students in our hometown of Hartsville, and we are excited to help with the Charleston Symphony’s efforts in Charleston County. We’re especially excited that this particular education effort is centered on recycling. Our mission is to change the way people, companies and communities think about recycling. We believe that when you learn about recycling, you learn how to make the world better now – and forever.”
“We would like to thank Sonoco for generously supporting the Charleston Symphony’s new educational outreach program, ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’. This program will be an interactive learning experience combining music, literacy, and science in a unique way that encourages active participation for our young students,” said CSO Executive Director, Michael Smith. “We are proud to reach nearly 18,000 students each year with our educational programs. Sonoco’s support allows us to further our reach and deepen our impact and we are so grateful to Sonoco for their support and commitment to the CSO and the Charleston County Schools.”
The program launched with a teacher training session for both third and fourth grade music and classroom teachers from select CCSD elementary schools. The training included an in-depth look at the curriculum, which includes a digital book, interactive puzzles, classroom instrument arrangements, and environmental education information. The culminating event will include students performing with musicians from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and discussing their knowledge of reducing, reusing, and recycling and how this relates to both music and the environment. The objective is to further develop student knowledge on the importance of implementing green practices and how these components are effectively applied in other areas of life. “Our goal, through our partnership with Sonoco, is to introduce this new curriculum in all Charleston County elementary schools,” said Smith.
“Designed to excite and engage students through tangible hands on activities while reaching children of all learning styles, this program takes a multifaceted approach to introducing students to the world of recycling,” said CCSD Fine Arts Coordinator Dr. James Braunreuther. “The interactive lessons feature recycling as a focal point in order to heighten our students’ awareness of environmentally friendly practices. This will be a learning experience that our students will treasure for the rest of their lives.”
For more information, visit www.sonoco.com or www.CharlestonSymphony.com/Education.