We thought it would be fun this week to take a look at some of the many ways our students are giving back to the community.  Young and old, our children are not only striving to do their best academically, they are also growing into outstanding young women and men that understand what it means to have a heart for service.  Let’s celebrate some of the ways our elementary students are becoming fantastic citizens.  Warning… We couldn’t stop at just six!

1. Children at Jackson Elementary School have been participating in the “Stop Hunger Now” initiative.  Through a partnership with First Broad Street Methodist Church, students have been collecting coins to purchase bags of rice that are distributed throughout the world.  It’s amazing how they are learning that just a few cents can help share nutrition with folks in need all across the globe (Click here to learn more about Stop Hunger Now).
2. Johnson Elementary students are thinking about how to support those in need both in our community and around the world.  Working with Heifer International, funds were raised to purchase both a goat and a cow for a community in poverty.  This purchase allows families in a needy community to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  And right here at home, an incredible amount of canned food was collected for the KCS Homeless Education Program and the Family Resource Center.  What a reflection of how Johnson students give through their understanding that not everyone has a home with enough food.
3. Roosevelt Elementary students are also working with Heifer International, through their “Read to Feed” program.  By holding a read-a-thon on Read Across America Day, students collected sponsorship donations to raise $500, which was used to purchase livestock.  This effort started through conversations during counseling classes, which motivated students to provide support to an overseas community in need.
4. Lincoln Elementary students are also thinking globally, as they will be supporting the “Chalkboards for Sudan” project the week of April 11-14.  With the Palmer Center and Mafair United Methodist also joining as partners, money raised will be given to purchase chalkboards for new schools being built in Sudan.  Also, over $2,000 has been raised this year for “Jump Rope for Heart,” an American Heart Association program locally coordinated by Lincoln physical education teacher Mrs. Hyder-Hall.
5. Students at Jefferson Elementary School have been very busy this year, supporting projects such as the “Thirst Comes First” global project.  This initiative, in partnership with First Broad Street United Methodist Church, raised over $4,000 to build three short hand dug wells in South Sudan, Africa that will provide clean drinking water to communities in need.  Jefferson students also reached out to our friends at Rock Springs Elementary who lost a significant amount of books due to a recent library flood.  Over 700 books were donated in a fantastic show of local support!
6. Washington Elementary students are supporting area nursing homes and hospitals in a variety of ways.  Students are providing blankets to hospitals for cancer patients to use while they receive chemotherapy treatments.  And the “Positive Quotes for Kids” club hopes to empower students with responsibility, engage their compassion, and offer them a chance to affect the lives of others by making cards for those needing words of encouragement.  The cards are then delivered to various nursing homes throughout Kingsport.  What a great way to spread joy and care to others in a time of need!
7. Kennedy Elementary students have been busy giving of their time and talents in several ways.  In addition to working to improve their environment through efforts such as recycling and a Kennedy/Lynn Garden clean-up day, they have also been hard at work to help others outside of Kingsport.  Over $900 was raised for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and materials were recently prepared to provide shoes for over 70 children in Uganda!
8. At Adams Elementary, student-led service projects have become the norm!  Almost 100 “Blessing Bags” were compiled and donated to the KCS Homeless Education program and Family Resource Center.  These bags contained items like shampoo, lotion, deodorant, scarves, and socks.  The fantastic work being done by the Small Miracles program was supported by fundraisers that provided over $2,000 and several pounds of carrots, apples, and supplies for their operations.  And Adams students also contributed books for the Rock Springs library project.

The word “impressive” doesn’t even begin to describe our fantastic students and staff!!