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District expands Every Can Counts partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Novelis; students collect 13,000 cans
Summary
Wappingers Central School District presenters described a project‑based learning program — Every Can Counts — that partners with Habitat for Humanity and Novelis. Four buildings and about 600 students in grades 3–6 have collected roughly 13,000 cans, which the program says funds a window and mailbox for Habitat homes.
District staff presented Every Can Counts, a project‑based learning partnership between Wappingers Central School District, Habitat for Humanity and Novelis that combines environmental education with community service and fundraising for housing.
Presenters John Salmon and Tara Koehler said the program has grown over two years from two schools to four buildings and involves about 600 students in grades 3 through 6. The program trains students to collect, categorize and track aluminum cans; Novelis converts the material to funds that Habitat for Humanity applies to building costs. Salmon and Koehler reported the four participating buildings have collected about 13,000 cans to date — an amount the program materials equate roughly to funding for a window and a mailbox on a Habitat home.
Habitat for Humanity staff members named in the presentation included Maureen Lashley, Jessica Muccio and Sarita Mangelli, who provide classroom visits, virtual support and kickoff events. The district described student roles as ambassadors who select collection locations in consultation with building principals, track material collections, create outreach signage and digital content (which is filtered and released by building or business offices), and write positive messages on wooden beams that are later displayed for families moving into Habitat homes.
Presenters said the project emphasizes sustainability and community connection, integrates science standards and uses AI tools as a tutoring/resource support for students during the project. The program has involved custodial staff, administrators and the facilities team to ensure safe collection and logistics. Salmon and Koehler thanked district leadership and the Board of Education for supporting project‑based learning across the district.
The presenters said they hope to expand participation next year; no budgetary details or dollar totals for the program were given in the presentation.
