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Check It Out! |
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| Cherrydale Primary School - Steilacoom, WA |
The students at Cherrydale Primary School in Steilacoom, WA have a powerful mascot: the cheetah!
As PeaceBuilders, the children are committed to helping others; and one way they do that, according
to Cherrydale's counselor Lanae Olson, is by raising money each year to send to the Cheetah Conservation
Fund in Namibia, Africa.
On Earth Day 2009, this PeaceBuilders site enjoyed the special opportunity to see a live cheetah at
their school as a reward for the money they raised and so they could better appreciate where the
money goes and how it helps cheetahs in the wild. Thanks to the school's PTA, Taini the cheetah
was brought all the way from Winston, OR where she is part of a special wildlife program called
"Wildlife Safari."
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Sitting calmly between her trainers, Taini the cheetah poses in front of a
PeaceBuilders flag!
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While leashed and controlled by her trainer at all times, Taini roamed the stage of the school's
multi-purpose room. In response to her good behavior, she received praise and positive reinforcement
from her trainer in the form of tiny bits of steak. Children were able to see living proof of the
assistance they have provided while at the same time seeing the natural affects of praise-even on
wild animals.
Children instinctively love animals and they enjoy helping others. The wise staff at Cherrydale
continues to find fun and meaningful ways to integrate PeaceBuilders into the daily curriculum
and into special holidays like Earth Day. The Cherrydale Cheetahs are PeaceBuilders. They help
others-even the wild ones!
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