NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffPre-K to 8Service
Students get an early start at community service
Sep 30, 2004 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Serving the needs of the people in our community is an essential part of Darlington Lower School’s total program to educate boys and girls.
“It is the goal of the faculty and staff for community service to become an intrinsic part of each student’s life,” said Assistant Principal Diane Lumpkin. “Young children are very impressionable and sensitive to the needs of others. Participation in outreach projects to help others pays huge dividends now and will only increase in the future with continued participation.”
All students are invited to participate in school-wide projects. These include the collection of school supplies for students in Floyd County in August, a Warm Clothing Drive in November and Toys for Tots and making an Angel Tree for boys and girls at other schools in December.
There are also projects designed for each grade.
Pre-kindergarteners will adopt two families during the Christmas holidays, providing them with food and Christmas gifts. They also participate in the Angel Project for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter.
“The children earn money at home doing chores, etcetera, and we use the money to buy the families gifts and necessities for their house for Christmas. We cook a Christmas feast for the families, also. The kids love it and really ‘get’ the giving part of Christmas,” said Beth Smith, pre-kindergarten teacher. “We also cook once a month for the William Davies Homeless Shelter. The children bring in ingredients, and we prepare the meal at school. We will go visit the home some time this year, and the children will leave goodies on the men's beds. It is great to see 4- and 5-year-olds become a vital part of our society by giving of themselves so early.”
Kindergarten and pre-first students do a Canned Food Drive at Thanksgiving and present a Christmas program to senior citizens, while first graders adopt an animal from Lake Arrowhead and present a Thanksgiving program to senior citizens.
“We present the play to the Lower School and then go to Riverwood Nursing Home to present it to the residents there,” said Gayle Monk, first grade teacher. “We have been doing this for at least 10 years.”
Second graders participate in a recycling program in order to raise money to adopt an animal, also from Lake Arrowhead.
“The money goes to feed and care for an animal to be rehabilitated,” said Elaine Smith, second grade teacher. “After a trip to the Arrowhead Environmental Education Center, the class votes on the animal they wish to adopt. There is great excitement during this process. During the year, Mrs. Kilgore, the director, brings the adopted animal for the class to observe and learn about.”
Third grade students collect hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, pillows and pillowcases for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter.
“We will have Angie Brock or Susan Seagraves from the shelter come and talk to the class,” said Terri Watters, third grade teacher. “The children will learn that the shelter is not only a place for [homeless people] to live, but also a place for them to learn how to get their lives in order as far as work responsibilities, living with others and taking care of the house. The children will learn the importance of helping others … It will also, hopefully, make them realize the importance of getting an education and developing a good work ethic.”
Fourth graders decorate goodie bags for nursing home residents and purchase and make items to fill the bag.
“The bags are sent to the nursing home at either Easter or Valentine’s Day,” said Lola Bradshaw, fourth grade teacher. “This project teaches the students respect and kindness towards the elderly and about sharing your talents and allowances.”
Fifth grade students participate in three different projects. These include donating items for animals to the Sterile Feral, collecting items for Good Neighbor Ministries and planting flowers and plants to beautify the Lower School campus.
“Children can make a tremendous difference in the lives of other children,” said Lumpkin. “By being a part of community service opportunities, students at Darlington Lower School are making the world a better place to live.”
“It is the goal of the faculty and staff for community service to become an intrinsic part of each student’s life,” said Assistant Principal Diane Lumpkin. “Young children are very impressionable and sensitive to the needs of others. Participation in outreach projects to help others pays huge dividends now and will only increase in the future with continued participation.”
All students are invited to participate in school-wide projects. These include the collection of school supplies for students in Floyd County in August, a Warm Clothing Drive in November and Toys for Tots and making an Angel Tree for boys and girls at other schools in December.
There are also projects designed for each grade.
Pre-kindergarteners will adopt two families during the Christmas holidays, providing them with food and Christmas gifts. They also participate in the Angel Project for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter.
“The children earn money at home doing chores, etcetera, and we use the money to buy the families gifts and necessities for their house for Christmas. We cook a Christmas feast for the families, also. The kids love it and really ‘get’ the giving part of Christmas,” said Beth Smith, pre-kindergarten teacher. “We also cook once a month for the William Davies Homeless Shelter. The children bring in ingredients, and we prepare the meal at school. We will go visit the home some time this year, and the children will leave goodies on the men's beds. It is great to see 4- and 5-year-olds become a vital part of our society by giving of themselves so early.”
Kindergarten and pre-first students do a Canned Food Drive at Thanksgiving and present a Christmas program to senior citizens, while first graders adopt an animal from Lake Arrowhead and present a Thanksgiving program to senior citizens.
“We present the play to the Lower School and then go to Riverwood Nursing Home to present it to the residents there,” said Gayle Monk, first grade teacher. “We have been doing this for at least 10 years.”
Second graders participate in a recycling program in order to raise money to adopt an animal, also from Lake Arrowhead.
“The money goes to feed and care for an animal to be rehabilitated,” said Elaine Smith, second grade teacher. “After a trip to the Arrowhead Environmental Education Center, the class votes on the animal they wish to adopt. There is great excitement during this process. During the year, Mrs. Kilgore, the director, brings the adopted animal for the class to observe and learn about.”
Third grade students collect hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, pillows and pillowcases for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter.
“We will have Angie Brock or Susan Seagraves from the shelter come and talk to the class,” said Terri Watters, third grade teacher. “The children will learn that the shelter is not only a place for [homeless people] to live, but also a place for them to learn how to get their lives in order as far as work responsibilities, living with others and taking care of the house. The children will learn the importance of helping others … It will also, hopefully, make them realize the importance of getting an education and developing a good work ethic.”
Fourth graders decorate goodie bags for nursing home residents and purchase and make items to fill the bag.
“The bags are sent to the nursing home at either Easter or Valentine’s Day,” said Lola Bradshaw, fourth grade teacher. “This project teaches the students respect and kindness towards the elderly and about sharing your talents and allowances.”
Fifth grade students participate in three different projects. These include donating items for animals to the Sterile Feral, collecting items for Good Neighbor Ministries and planting flowers and plants to beautify the Lower School campus.
“Children can make a tremendous difference in the lives of other children,” said Lumpkin. “By being a part of community service opportunities, students at Darlington Lower School are making the world a better place to live.”
