Mt. Loafer Elementary teachers and students have learned that when we take action, even in one small way, that action can send ripples into the world around us, just as water ripples in a lake.
Mt. Loafer Elementary has spent the month of March finding ways to serve at home, at school, in the community, and in the world. Students have been focused on the circles of service and the many ways and places they can serve. Sometimes, kids think they're too small or too young to make a real difference. We don't think so - we think kids are just the right age to change the world.
Mt. Loafer Elementary has held fundraiser held February 27th through March 23rd. This fundraiserwas to help earn money for a drill in South Sudan. In preparation, teachers read aloud the true story "A Long Walk to Water." We had a goal to send $2,500 to the Water for South Sudan organization which has been drilling wells in Southern Sudan since 2005. We are going to send over $4,000!
Some of the touching stories included one first grader who donated all his birthday money to the fundraiser; he gave over $24.00. Another first grader had a birthday party. She asked her friends to bring money for the Water for South Sudan fundraiser instead of a birthday gift. She brought in over $42.00. One family gathered together all the change they had been setting aside for a vacation; that family brought in $100.00. Another family made a committment to match the funds brought in by all three of their children's classes. This family donated $500.00. A teacher at Mt. Loafer donated $5.00 for every student in her class. Another teacher donated $50.00 for each of her children who also attend Mt. Loafer.
On Friday, March 30th, Mt Loafer had Club Day. The activities were directed to providing a service for the community. Kindergarten designed blank "Happy Birthday" and Thank You" cards to donate to local rest homes. They also created tissue paper flowers to decorate the homes. First grade learned about careers that provide services to our community and world; librarians, policemen, and firemen. Second, fifth, and third grades made cards and decorations to be delivered to local Beehive homes and rest homes. Third grade also made headbands and books on tape. The headbands will be donated to hospitals for young girls who are going through chemo, the books on tape will be used Mrs. Hancock's class here at Mt. Loafer. Fourth grade planted pansies in the flower beds at school and made flower pens for local businesses. Fifth grade wrote letters to Veterans and made file folder games for children in hospitals. Sixth grade cleaned our playground by sweeping off the asphalt, raking the wood chips into the playground, washing outdoor benches, doors, and windows, and cleaning the Kindergarten playground.
We have learned that no one can do everything, but everybody can do something. Thank you, Mt. Loafer, for changing the world.