September 22, 2017, San Jose, CA:  The Moreland School District is proud to announce that three schools have focused their lessons or school-wide events toward teaching students about empathy and the need to help those affected by the most recent hurricanes.  Baker and Easterbrook Discovery School classrooms have student-led hurricane relief efforts, and Payne Elementary School will supplement their annual Book Fair with a Book Drive for hurricane-affected schools.

Ms. Jenna Naylor’s first graders at Baker Elementary School adopted a classroom in Katy, Texas, just outside Houston.  This Texas first grade class had a first year teacher who lost almost everything in their classroom during Hurricane Harvey.  After learning about the situation and the need of this classroom, students in Ms. Naylor’s class brainstormed how they could help.  The class collected school supplies and gently used books for 2 weeks and sent cards to the Texas students hoping to become pen pals.  In addition, Ms. Naylor learned that the classroom needed larger items, such as a rainbow rug and leveled boxes.  Through a newly created GoFundMe page, Ms. Naylor’s families and community raised over $1,400 to help rebuild this classroom.  “It all happened so fast, the kids just really wanted to help,” said Ms. Naylor.  “What a great lesson in humanity and a teachable moment about helping others.”

Mr. Royce Agustin’s fourth grade class at Easterbrook Discovery School is in the middle of their Project Based Learning project asking the question: How can we, as 4th graders, help people affected by Hurricane Harvey?  Kicked off by having the students walk into their room after a staged disaster, the class reflected about initial reactions, collected ideas about what they can do to help, and are learning more through current information pieces about the next steps they will take.

Payne’s annual fall Book Fair begins next week and traditionally, families will purchase a book and have it donated to a classroom teacher for their class library.  This year, Payne teachers are asking families to still purchase an extra book, but instead donate it to a classroom affected by Hurricane Harvey. Books will be shipped to both Friendswood Independent School District and Pasadena Independent School District in Texas.  If you’d like to make a book donation, Payne’s Book Fair will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after school (2:50pm), Wednesday in the evening from 6-8pm and Friday after school (2:50pm)

One of Moreland’s Strategic Plan Goals is to “prepare students to become responsible citizens” by providing opportunities to engage all students in service learning projects, instill a sense of school pride, and contribute to the greater community.  The Moreland School District is incredibly proud of these and all students who have focused on making their school and outside global community a better world to live.