Straughn Elementary students participate in service project

Published 9:15 am Wednesday, October 26, 2022

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With service projects an annual tradition at Straughn Elementary School, students in kindergarten and fourth grade classes collected pull-tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in September.

The above students are from Kaye Josey’s kindergarten class.

Kaye Josey’s kindergarten class and Emily Johns’ fourth grade classes collected over 50 of the 354 total pounds of pull-tabs.

“Over the years, this September service project has brought 1,370 total pounds of pull-tabs. Mrs. Josey’s and Mrs. Johns’ classes received an ice cream party Friday, Oct. 21, for their efforts. As always, the real winners are the families that benefit from Ronald McDonald House day in and day out,” SES Counselor Mandi Morris said.

Christy Dozier, a former bookkeeper at the school, first made the suggestion for the project in 2018. Dozier’s daughter Laken passed away from childhood cancer in 2005.

Future projects planned include a Thanksgiving canned food drive and adoption of grade-level Christmas angels.

“These service projects build an awareness of needs in our school, community, and world. We also hope our students realize the sense of pride that accompanies serving and helping others,” she said.

Morris added that students are able to learn much more through a curriculum with the Ronald McDonald House project.

“As a result of their participation, they can learn about generosity in character education to weighing and counting the amounts collected in mathematics. Our students can even read a non-fiction article about the Ronald McDonald House and chart their locations on a map. It’s a school-wide opportunity to grow in all areas of our lives.”

For more information call the Straughn Elementary School office at 334-427-1311.

“We appreciate the support of our entire Straughn family and community. These students are making a difference,” Morris said.