By Helen Holmes

Mr. Pavlik’s 1st grade students celebrated Earth Day this year by releasing brook trout into Little River of Lee, NH.  The expedition was led by classroom paraeducator John Silverio and a 4th grade student who is an avid outdoorsman and angler. 

Starting last fall, Mr. Silverio and the student have been leading lessons about the trout life cycle, habitat and hosting fly tying lessons for the students of Moharimet, and releasing them into nature was the culminating event. Under their guidance, the 1st graders experienced the entire life cycle of brook trout from egg to frye to release. This program is a continuation of work John started as an ORMS 6th grade STEM teacher in conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife “Adopt A Salmon” program and NH Fish & Game “Trout in the Classroom”.

The 1st graders had a wonderful time releasing the trout, and the experience left a lasting impression.

“The fish were really small. We did a favor for the environment. It felt good to help the river and make it have more population!” – Caroline May-Reeves, gr1

“It was fun because we got to empty the bucket and so we could release the trout. It was cool to see a little part of the river and go down to where the animals live.” – Theo Lanzer, gr1

Thank you to everyone who supported this program and helped Moharimet embody the motto “We are Kind. We are Responsible. We are Learners”!

Moharimet students look on as John Silverio prepares to release a frye into the river.

Safe release of a frye into Little River!

Small fryes...