-David Schleck

Otis the Trash Talking Octopus was the mascot for the Party for the Planet, an Earth Day celebration recently held at Seatack Elementary School – An Achievable Dream Academy.

More than 300 students and 30 staff members filed by the eight-legged sculpture on their way to the event’s opening ceremony, where second grader Skylar Jamison read a poem she wrote about Earth Day.

Students were then dispatched to specific parts of the school grounds to pick up litter, using biodegradable gloves and trash bags. Gifted resource teacher Marie Culver led the effort, and coached members of the school’s garden club on how to encourage participants to be positive about the event.

“You may hear some kids complain about picking up trash, but we’re going to be positive,” she told the club members. “We’re going to say, ‘Yes! We’re taking care of the Earth! And it’s fun!’ ”

It’s the second planet party for the school, but environmental lessons have been ongoing for years.

Otis the Trash Talking Octopus was created from litter students collected from local beaches. Past sculptures have had names like Jingles the Jellyfish, Skittles the Kemps Ridley, Licorice the Leatherback, Tacky the Loggerhead and Green Bean the Green Sea Turtle — all made and named by the students.

Christina Trapani, owner of Eco Maniac Sustainability Company, helped add up the litter collected using  the Ocean Conservancy’s “Clean Swell” app, which tracks cleanups worldwide.

Within an hour, students collected 15 bags of trash, or about 260 items, including plastic bottles, wrappers and cans. They ended the day by promising to be good citizens and treat every day like Earth Day.

Fifth grader Skyler Mowery, a member of the school’s Garden Breakfast Club, said the hard work was worth it, especially if it encourages others to clean up their act. He also had some passing words for the event’s mascot.

“OK, Otis,” he said, “no more talking trash.”