England Elementary School decided to participate in a Coats for Kids service learning project they had a conservative goal to “give it their all.” In the end, they gave it their all and more by raising over $4,600, a Coats for Kids fundraising record for the District.
Student council organized the project and created a week long donation drive, designating a monetary denomination for each day of the week. The England community was invited to donate pennies on Monday, nickels on Tuesday, dimes on Wednesday, quarters on Thursday and dollars on Friday. Council leaders made classroom announcements, posters and flyers to promote the project.
“The whole campus united, this was truly a collective effort,” said England Librarian Emily Kupersztoch. “Although there were elements of competition between classes, the students never lost sight of the real purpose which is to impact their community in a positive way.”
Martha Calhoun’s fifth-grade class set out to raise enough money to sponsor enough coats for 23 children, the same number of students in their class. In the end, they raised over $600, enough to buy over 60 coats.
Calhoun said that her students took the project home and shared it with their families.
“They grabbed hold of the idea,” Calhoun said. “I was really excited about the giving and generous response I received from my students and their families.”
Service and global citizenship are cultural cornerstones at England. The campus’ character education focuses on loyalty, empathy, open-mindedness, perseverance, appreciation, resourcefulness, discipline, and service (Leopards). The leopard is the England mascot.
“Students are never too young to start developing an empathetic mindset and a heart for service,” England Principal Jana Stowe said. “Projects like Coats for Kids give students a chance to apply what they are learning, not just read about it on a poster or in a book.”
This year Round Rock ISD librarians collectively raised over $30,000 for Coats for Kids. Monies raised will go directly to paying for coats for students in the District.
“This is a great example of a win, win” said Ami Uselman, library and media services director. “RRISD students will have warm coats and contributing students had the opportunity to extend learning beyond the classroom and into the community.”
