Most of the kids indicated that they were "happy" or "proud" to have helped others. One student stated that, “…I feel LUCKY, I am lucky to have a home and food and clothes, and some kids don’t…I am glad I can help others”. 

Ms. Sefton’s 5^th grade class at North Pointe Elementary learned about the unfortunate reality of Garbage Dump Cities in Mexico where families facing extreme poverty are forced to live in communities in a dump. A guest speaker from Operation Serve International (OSI) informed the students about ways they could help, specifically by collecting eye glasses and hygiene products. Students kicked off an advertising campaign on their morning announcements with a video they made describing their project and call to action.  They also wrote persuasive letters to businesses to solicit donations. 

 

Students collected 684 items worth $3,000 including eyeglasses, hair products, school supplies and hygiene kits which will be delivered to a Dump City by the OSI representative. Students look forward to seeing pictures of the kids in Mexico using their collected items which they will also put into a video to thank the North Pointe Community!

 

The project helped the students be grateful for small items they take for granted and helped them realize they can make a difference even at ten years old.  It sparked their passion for helping others and traveling to serve the poor. 

 

A student reflected on the project by saying, "We ended up with over one thousand donations.  We were astonished with this number.  Most people don't realize that their donations are going to actual people who live in garbage dumps.  We are going to try to get pictures of the people who are using the items we donated.  That would be a great privilege for our school.  We helped Mexico City a lot.  Our service learning project took over two months.  I will think about these two months for the rest of my life and in the future I will try to help Mexico City's poor even more."

 

Congratulations to Ms. Sefton's class on an amazing job well done!

 

Facing History and Ourselves Educators:
The Holocaust Educators Network at The City University of New York announces 24 fellowships for English and history/social studies teachers, grades 7–12, and college faculty to attend the Memorial Library Summer Seminar on Holocaust Education in New York City. The seminar will take place in New York City from July 5, through July 18, 2011. All educators from the United States are encouraged to apply.

Participants will receive a $1,000 fellowship, free housing at Columbia University, round–trip airfare, and a small stipend for local travel and expenses. The seminar will be led by Dr. Sondra Perl, Professor of English at Lehman College and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, founding co–director of the New York City Writing Project, and author of On Austrian Soil: Teaching Those I Was Taught to Hate.

This program encourages teachers to think creatively and collaboratively about methods and approaches to teaching the Holocaust. The seminar considers how to engage students with difficult material involving hatred, prejudice, and state–sanctioned genocide. It examines how writing, dialogue, and inquiry can help learners develop empathy and can move all of us toward social action. While the focus is on the Holocaust, attention will also be given to recent genocides.

For more information and to apply, visit www.holocausteducators.org. The deadline for applications is January 14th, 2011.

This seminar is sponsored by the Memorial Library and Lehman College and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York.