Service+Projects



__Rescue Outreach Mission__  English Estates Elementary School's Third Grade students chose to work on a grade-level service project this year. It began back in October when the classes discussed all aspects of what makes up a community. Throughout the discussions, students demonstrated some misunderstandings about homelessness. The teachers and the students believed that we needed to learn more about this part of our communities. 

After researching the many different reasons as to why some people may be homeless in our community, we contacted a local homeless shelter to see how we could be of service. We did NOT contact the nearest shelter to our school due to the fact that some of our school children reside in these shelters. Attending may prove to be awkward and uncomfortable for all parties involved. We called one in a neighboring town. The supervisor of the shelter was very excited to have our school assist them. They told us that they would love it if the kids could send in some slightly used toys for the children to play with at Christmas. 

After discussing it with the classes, they decided that they would like to have a "Toy Drive" and collect as many new toys as possible to wrap and take to the shelter. They also thought that it would be nice to spend some time with our new friends and have a "picnic". We sent out flyers to our community parents asking for new gifts and holiday wrapping paper to be sent in for the children at the shelter. 

The third grade students then spent time in school deciding which age group and gender the gifts were best suited for, wrapped them with care, and placed them in an age-appropriate box for delivery. A Saturday date was chosen ahead of time near the holiday break for the children and parents to gather and deliver the gifts. In addition to delivering the gifts, the teachers, parents, and children also brought sandwiches, fruit, cookies, and soda to share with the families in the shelter. Everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed themselves! -Mrs. Sandi Johnson, Third Grade Teacher