Service Project

Students in the resource room have chosen to participate in a community service activity. I hope this experience will plant the seed for students to continue to look for opportunities to help others and take part in community service now and in the future.

(click banner for more information) Construction at Amanda Elementary this year has provided students with unique opportunities for learning. Stumpy, aka Rick Franceschina, is a member of the construction crew working to remodel Amanda Elementary. Students have developed a friendship with Stumpy.  Rick is a Shriner clown known as "Stumpy" who has willingly donated time to meet with the students in my classroom as Stumpy and as Rick. He has become a special friend and role model. The students listened to him share experiences from visits to Cincinnati Shriners Hospital. Rick told the students of the joy it brings to him when he goes clowning at the hospital and can bring a smile and moment of happiness to a sick child.

Stumpy donated his time to visit all students at Amanda in morning meeting early this year. He then made a visit to each classroom, talking and clowning with the students. Stumpy surprised the students with a special visit on the Friday before Christmas break. The students thoroughly enjoyed participating in holiday activities with Stumpy.

On Sunday, October 16, Stumpy and fellow clowns, Luckey, Tear Drop, and Speedy, demonstrated their generosity and care by attending a benefit to raise money for John Wayne Miller. John is an Amanda student with a critical medical needs. The staff, students, and parents deeply appreciated their efforts and participation.


Speedy, Stumpy, Tear Drop, Luckey
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In conversations with Rick, the students learned about the TAB program which helps raise money to benefit children who are patients in Shriners Hospital for Children - Cincinnati Burns. The TAB program began in 1997. Our class received a letter from Evelyn Jordan, the TAB Lady, explaining the extra items they are able to purchase from the TAB Fund. While not in the hospital budget, the extra items help make the patient and parents time in the hospital much happier and less stressful. Items purchased include: baby thermometers, clothes, bingo cart, wheelchair, TV sets, Toys to Grow On, magazines, magnets on burn prevention, Discovery toys, and more.


After a class discussion students in the resource room invited all students and adults at Amanda Elementary to help them collect tabs for Stumpy and his friends. Each Friday morning students in the resource room visit all classrooms and offices in the building to collect tab donations. Students had collected over fifty pounds of tabs by Christmas break. Here are some of their responses when asked how they felt about their efforts.

"It makes me feel really good to help other kids."
"I like helping kids like Stumpy helps kids."
"Helping others is a good thing we should do."




Stumpy

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