Friday, October 5, 2001
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Friday, October 5, 2001 |
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Schools lend a helping hand By JOHN
THOMPSON
Since Sept. 11, students and teachers all across Coweta County have sought ways to express their sorrow, their determination to help their fellow citizens, and their patriotism. Some of the best examples have been found in the pregame community rallies before Northgate and Newnan high schools' football games. But what happened Sept. 11 has elicited responses from students, teachers and parents at all Coweta County schools. Students have raised money for, and solicited the community for blood donations through, the American Red Cross. Students are discussing what it means to be an American, and patriotism. Teachers are reporting a new enthusiasm for the Pledge of Allegiance that starts each day. "There are some very proud pledges, and you can hear a pin drop during the moment of silence every morning," said Newnan Crossing Elementary School Principal Terry Lassetter. Lassetter's elementary school is indicative of other elementary schools in Coweta County "We try not to focus on the tragedy because it scares students this young," said Lassetter. "We want our children to feel safe, and many of the younger ones don't know what's going on." But Lassetter said all Newnan Crossing students know something is going on, and want to know what they can do. "So we concentrate on giving, on helping people in need, on patriotism," she said. The children and teachers have participated, like many Coweta County schools, in raising money for the American Red Cross. There was a competition among first grade classes that raised hundreds for the organization. Teacher Denise Meacham is coordinating an American flag t-shirt sale "Stand United, Stand Proud" on the front for students and parents. Teaching her class a lesson on patterning, Kathleen Yarborough led students in fashioning small American flag pins from colored beads. Some parents and teachers wanted to buy the pins, so Dr. Yarborough asked her students if they would voluntarily donate their pins for sale. Many did, and the money went to the Red Cross and victim's assistance funds. The class is making more pins now. Students in third grade wrote letters of thanks to the police, firefighters and all others work ers at the New York site. Computer lab teacher LeeAnne Tomlin asked her class to type brief essays on "Why I am proud to be an American." Some of the scores of results are displayed on the wall outside of Newnan Crossing's cafeteria and include: "I am proud to be an American because we get so much freedom and power and America is the best country in the whole world. Some countries don't have as much freedom as we do." A few other stories from around the system include: Newnan High's student-run Cuga Cruch Company and a private donor made a $3,000 donation to the American Red Cross. Northgate High School Viking's Vittles Club made a similar donation of money raised from annual sales. Newnan High's Key Club followed suit during homecoming week with a contribution. The Student Government Association sponsored letters to the rescue workers in New York and Washington/Pennsylvania and during home room many wrote letters of sympathy and support to all concerned. The letters were delivered last week to New York and elsewhere. Atkinson Elementary School students wore red, white and blue on two different days. The fourth and fifth grade classes had bake sales to donate money to the Red Cross. In the Friday after the attack, students observed the moment of silence along with the entire country. One of the fifth grade students, Cameran Fanning, dressed up like Red Cross founder Clara Barton. Canongate Elementary School Cubs, in response to the tragedy in New York, participated in a Red, White and Blue Spirit Day, and participated in the pregame show at Northgate High School by singing the National Anthem and "America the Beautiful," and wrote letters to be delivered to the children, teachers and administrators of the Long Island educational system. Students also raised funds for the American Red Cross, and participated in Arms Around New York - collecting teddy bears to send to the children of the relief workers. At Arnco-Sargent, classes are incorporating patriotism into creative writing and letter writing. Elm Street Elementary School raised over $2,600 for the American Red Cross and the American Diabetes Association. It was a week-long drive, during which children were encouraged to help with the situation in New York and Washington. They were also inspired to bring money in for children with diabetes. Amounts raised included $1,481 for the American Diabetes Association and $1,216 for the Red Cross. Middle schools have provided a fount of support for the Red Cross and similar organizations. East Coweta Middle, on the first Friday, shut down the cafeteria's ice cream box and asked students to make donations instead. Over $1,300 was raised on that day alone. One student, Alex Peters, gave $50 in birthday money to the school's drive. Over $1,600 was raised. At Evans Middle, the student council sold flag stickers for $1 apiece, and home rooms conducted fund-raising competitions. A check for $2,134 was presented to the local chapter of the Red Cross, to be sent on the organization's Liberty Fund. Evans students also are collecting student poetry about Sept. 11 to bind into a book and keep in the library. In all, the five middle schools, including Smokey Road and Madras Middle Schools, raised over $2,000 each, bringing in well over $10,000 for the Red Cross and similar organizations. At Arnall, Davidson and other students also posted blood drive posters for the Red Cross. "What would be cool is to do this every year," said Arnall's Davidson. "There's always somebody that needs help," she said.
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