Queensbury Union Free School District has received a Champions of Change award from the New York State School Boards Association in recognition of a kindergarten classroom that adopted a cow.
NYSSBA, which provides training, information and advocacy for school boards across the state, recognizes school programs that have received positive press for their innovative programs.
Patrick Longo, NYSSBA’s member relations manager, attended the Aug. 12 Queensbury Board of Education meeting to present a Champions of Change banner to Elissa Eichin, whose kindergartners have participated in Discover Dairy’s Adopt a Cow program for the last two years.
The students adopt a calf from a New York dairy farm, keep in touch with the farmer and track the calf’s growth and progress throughout the year. Eichin hosts Farm Fridays in her classroom where her students learn about the dairy farming industry.
“What we loved about this program was that it highlighted participation,” Longo said. “They were actually adopting a cow and following that dairy cow. That’s something we think they should use at a very young age to get people interested in dairy farming.”
The two calves — Annabelle and Autumn — came from Stargo Dairy Farm in Malone. Coincidentally, Queensbury Middle School teacher Amanda Flemmington grew up on that farm and visited the classroom to provide first-hand information and additional photos of farm life.
“I really feel that agriculture is an important thing to learn about,” Eichin said. “We want to know where our food comes from. This is a great program that just opens the eyes of these kids.”
Discover Dairy also runs a contest near Valentine’s Day asking people to vote online for the “Most Kissable Calf.”
“Elissa has really been a Champion of Change in her classroom,” said Jessica Rossetti, Queensbury Elementary School principal. “She had the whole community voting for Annabelle and then Autumn, these adorable little calves.”
