At Busan Foreign School, as part of our mission we aspire to shape empathetic and open-minded global citizens who think critically and have the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Caring for the natural environment supports our BFS SHARK values, as we develop students’ abilities to be Active communicators who advocate for themselves and others and to Keep learning by developing and applying problem-solving strategies to real-life situations.

Nestled at the base of Jangsan, the mountain in the heart of Busan’s Green City district, our neighborhood is full of green spaces, and our school community is passionate about protecting these areas.

CNN Call to Earth Day 2025: Guard Your Green Space

Building on the success of last year’s Elementary initiative, on Thursday, November 6th, the entire Early Childhood and Elementary School — from PK3 to Grade 5 — joined together for a trash pick-up event in honor of CNN Call to Earth Day 2025, centered around the inspiring theme: “Guard Your Green Space.”

Working hand-in-hand, students took meaningful action to protect the natural world, cleaning up while learning how small steps can lead to significant change. Students used keen eyes to find a variety of recyclable materials including cans, bottles, and cardboard, as well as non recyclable trash underneath bushes and along walking paths.

Grade 3 student Jieun shared the importance of this event:

“Picking up trash helps the environment to be more safe for everyone, even animals and sea life.”

Grade 5 student Aiden felt happy and proud to participate and noted:

“It’s good to help clean up trash because littering hurts the Earth.”

Grade 5 teacher, Mr. Phillips shared his feelings on the shared purpose of the event:

“This was a great opportunity for us to give back fo our neighborhood community and the students really enjoyed making a difference.”

Middle and High School Students Taking Action

A dedicated group of volunteers from the BFS Middle School Student Council and High School Service Club also engaged in a separate trash pick-up event along the Jangsan mountain hiking trails and reservoir area. Their efforts helped preserve the natural beauty of the spaces our community enjoys every day.

BFS MSHS Call to Earth Day Photos © Jeff Kuo

For Grade 11 student and Service Club President Kristina, the experience was both meaningful and memorable:

“Life as a high school student can get quite hectic — we juggle homework, classes, and activities, and it often feels like we rarely get a moment to slow down and enjoy being around others. That’s why events like clean-ups mean so much to us. They give us a reason to hang out outside of school while doing something that actually matters. They let us bond over things as simple as jokingly fighting over a piece of trash, keeping our innate competitiveness alive, while also reminding us that even small actions can make a big difference.”

HS Service Club Advisor, Ms. Brenneman, shared her pride in the students’ initiative:

“Not every teenager chooses to spend their Saturday ankle-deep in trash. But these BFS kids—who could be anywhere else—are choosing to care. They’re thinking about the planet, their neighbors, and the kind of world they want to grow up in. There’s something beautifully hopeful about that. And a little funny, too—because only a teenager can look cool while carrying tongs and garbage sacks, talking about sustainability.”

A Step Toward a Greener Future

Reflecting on the event, Early Childhood & Elementary Principal Ms. Harvey expressed her appreciation:

“Busan is such a beautiful city, and it’s our shared responsibility to help protect it. I’m deeply grateful to our dedicated teachers for organizing this event. Their commitment and extra effort truly make a difference in our students’ learning and growth.”

Engaging in this CNN Call to Earth event provided a valuable opportunity for students to reconnect with nature, beautify our local environment, and safeguard our green sanctuaries to ensure that they continue to flourish.