The day after Super Typhoon Haiyan — one of the most powerful storms ever recorded — devastated the Philippines, the English Language Learners at Kealakehe Intermediate School pondered the heavy damage inflicted on the many islands in the archipelago nation and their uncertain future. Their substitute teacher — the school’s ELL coordinator Myfanwy Brunner — led the discussion, asking the students to consider how they would feel in a similar predicament and what they would like or need to cope. The students began making lists of items. Some also shared their knowledge and experiences of living in island communities where typhoons are commonplace. A few had only moved to Hawaii from the Philippines about a year ago. Soon Brunner, ELL teachers Maurianne Nohejl and Kim Kozak, and the school’s 92 ELL students were brainstorming ideas to help the Philippines. They came up with the idea to collect clothing, school supplies and dental items. The cause coincides perfectly with Kealakehe’s vision statement, “Relationships are the heart of all learning,” as well as its mission to “nurture the mind and spirit of our students.” This effort has also provided an opportunity to explore empathy, compassion and altruism with pupils — one that shows schoolchildren who have a genuine wish to contribute that they can keep this intention alive and make it a reality, Brunner said. Monday morning, ELL students happily packed boxes of donated items, as well as made origami animals and cards. They wrote messages of hope, encouragement and support. Get the full story by West Hawaii Today reporter Carolyn Lucas-Zenk here: westhawaiitoday/news/local-news/students-organize-drive-typhoon-haiyan-relief
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 21:30:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015