‘Season of Giving’ Has True Meaning for Students at The Independent Day School
Students Step Up to Help Those in Need This Holiday Season
As part of the curriculum this holiday season, all of the students at IDS – from Beginners through the eighth grade - were involved in community fundraisers, in an effort to benefit those in need.
Students in grades K, 1, 3, 4 and 5 participated in Read-a-Thons, during which they pledged monetary donations to either read or finish books (depending on their reading level.) Second graders and Beginners collected spare change. Altogether, the students raised almost $3,900. All of the proceeds benefitted Warm the Children, a local organization that provides needy children with new winter clothing.
A group of third and fourth grade students gave up some of their recess time in order to count, bag, and box donated children’s clothing items. Beginners collected 189 mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. Six boxes of assorted clothing for babies and children, as well as 231 coats, sweaters, and pants were also donated. The items were given to homeless children staying at Shelter Now, located in Meriden.
In addition to the local charities that IDS supported, the Middle School Interact Club collected 185 pairs of shoes to benefit Soles4Souls, an international organization that recycles shoes for those in need.
On January 4, during All School Meeting, a student representative from each grade shared his/her experience and joy of giving back to those less fortunate, as well as presented a check to a representative from Warm the Children.
“The students have supported these local charities with their time, service and donations,” said John Barrengos, Head of School. “Our goal at IDS is to guide our students toward not only a high standard of learning, but also a high standard of citizenship – and this has been such an amazing experience for them. It has been wonderful to watch them as they do something good for others in need.”