Gilda, an Eastern Screech Owl, made quite an impression on Sue Reinsch’s first grade class at Northport Public School.

Northport first graders

Gilda and some of her fellow predator birds made a trip to Northport Elementary School in January as part of program by Rebecca Lessard and the Wings of Wonder rehabilitation group. Some five months later, the class has officially adopted Gilda.

“The kids were really impressed by the program, the birds, and everything … Wings of Wonder does. They also wanted to help out,” Reinsch said.

The students put on their thinking caps and came up with the idea of adopting one of the birds. Reinsch said they also had to create a way to raise funds to help the bird out.

“They came up with different ways. They held a returnable pop can drive, did special chores at home, or whatever they could to raise money,” she said.

Austin Huck said he did chores around the house, an option used by many of his 11 classmates.

Brett Dyer took a more direct approach. “I just brought in my piggy bank,” he said.

The class raised $30 and sent it to Lessard. In return, they received a certificate of adoption for Gilda, who is blind in her right eye and deaf in her left ear. The certificate includes a picture of Gilda, and letter of thanks from Lessard and Wings of Wonder.

SUE REINSCH’S first grade class at Northport Public School adopted Gilda, an Eastern Screech Owl that is being rehabilitated by Wings of Wonder. Helping out were (front row, from left)) Stormy Harrington, Lillian Kinken, Taylor Viger, Joan Ogemaw and Karla Flores; and (back row, from left)) Carson Miller, Ethan Pino, Austin Huck, Brett Dyer and Kjeil Dickinson. Not present were Sarah Reynolds and Eliseo Moreno.