STANDARD-TIMES (New Bedford, Massachusetts) 22 March 06 How did the turtle cross the road? (Jonathan Darling)

Photo at URL below: Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge unveils a new “Turtle Crossing” sign, which will be posted at locations around Rochester. Jack Iddon)

Rochester: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would have no problem jumping or flipping to cross a street but, for ordinary, plodding little turtles, the trek can be a very dangerous adventure.

Hopefully, not any more, though.

Fourth-grade students at Rochester Memorial School concluded a community service project yesterday called "Turtle Power" with loud applause as Rochester Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge unveiled what they have been waiting for: a metal, yellow road sign covered with tiny turtles that proclaims in bold black letters: "Turtle Crossing."

What started as an idea for a service project turned into three signs that will be placed at places in town where turtles like to cross the road.

"This is an example of something that started really little but turned into something huge," said 9-year-old Amanda Michaud.

Amanda and her classmates in Craig Davignon's class made special T-shirts for the occasion.

A mix of greens covered the shirts, which also sported drawings of turtles and messages of safety for the little creatures.

The students have been working with Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon about the dangers turtles face when trying to cross a street, and how to best protect the slow-moving reptiles.

Aside from being squashed by automobiles rumbling down roadways, turtles can also get into trouble when someone picks them up and places them in another pond or another part of town.

"When you drop turtles into a different pond, it's like someone dropping you in a different country," said Ayla Gregoire, 9.

"It's a very significant problem," Ms. Farinon agreed. "People don't understand that taking a turtle and placing it in another place is disastrous."

Mr. Eldridge said the signs will be hung at locations on Snipatuit Road, Sara Sherman Road and either Hartley or Mary's Pond Road — all places where students have seen turtles crossing the street.

"I think the signs will raise awareness for people about the turtles crossing the street," said Danielle Bassett, 9.

Yesterday's unveiling of the road sign is the conclusion of a community service project that covered everything from writing to biology.

The youngsters started at the library and brainstormed as a team about possible project ideas.

The students then wrote letters to Buttonwood Park Zoo, the Lloyd Center in Dartmouth and other places seeking information about turtles.

Mr. Davignon and the other fourth-grade teachers wrote a grant proposal to raise the money to make the signs.

"This is what a community service project is all about," Mr. Davignon said. "They saw a need for something and did what they needed to do to make it happen."

The students also have a safety message for motorists when driving in the turtle-crossing zones.

"If a turtle is in the road," Sam Resendes, 9, said, "people should not stop to assist it because it's going somewhere. Do not get out of the car in the middle of the road to help them because it's dangerous."
How did the turtle cross the road?

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