Making Connections in My School

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, its’ not!” Words written by Theodore Gueisel when writing a book about ruining the environment and a little grumpy old man trying to protect it. Thanks to that book and many more experts and public relations campaigns the whole world has become aware of the need to take care of our planet…and I am so glad that our community has taken up the connection between ourselves and the Earth…many of us and our families have begun the work of recycling, saving electricity and bringing sustainable bags to the Superfresh.

Another connection that I would like to remind us about is our important connection to people…all people. The month of October we will begin to support The Life Center, a place for people with devastating troubles…homeless, hungry, out of work… to go and get help from their community. We will collect new gloves, mittens, hat, scarves and gently used coats to keep them warm in the winter.
Beginning in January one class a week will make lunches for them…and volunteer parents will deliver
those lunches.

In November we will have a food drive…last year we filled a whole van… Could a bus be in our future? In February we will collect Pennies For Patients…$ for the cure of Children’s Cancer.
Many teachers take their students to a home for Seniors where they sing, play cards and games and make crafts with the delighted residents.

We also do community service right here at school by planting beautiful flowers, decorating our halls and helping teachers when they need it. We are working hard helping your children understand their connection not only to the environment but to the people in it.

I am sure in your own life you have helped someone…or…someone has helped you. A small way can mean a huge amount to someone. It doesn’t always have to be helping a person less fortunate…Last week I had been to an administrative meeting at the Admin center that felt like it lasted for about 2 days…in reality maybe 4 hours. I was tired and cranky and knew I had to come back and smile for our staff and students so I decided to treat myself to a WaWa cappuccino! As I stood in line searching for my wallet someone from across the cash register said, “Hey Mrs. Mingey, your coffee is on me!” It was a Lynnewood parent and let me tell you, that parent made my day! I smiled inside and out, thanked him profusely and when I returned to school I was all smiles and energy…that act of kindness touched not only me, but his child whom I immediately told, and everyone else I came in contact with…a great day…Because someone like him cared a whole awful lot…about connecting with another human being.

As you go through your day think about connecting to other people…you never know who could use a cup of coffee or a smile or a kind word… When you see me ask who the parent was that treated me to coffee…and maybe we can also chat how you are connected and possibly can be connected to this wonderful community of ours!