Mapleton School - A Whole School Making a Difference

After being involved for four years in a Virtues Project, students and staff of Mapleton School decided to put their learning into action in the community. Students in each grade discussed ways in which they could learn about and show respect and understanding for people from a variety of backgrounds, geographical locations and stages in life, and ways in which they could help people in need. Subsequently, each grade came up with a plan.

Grade one students discussed the needs of children in Third World countries and then put together shoe boxes of supplies to send to them.

Grade two students partnered with a personal care home where they made monthly visits to learn from their elders and to apply their skills of kindness, respect and empathy. This class also connected with a grade 2 class in Berens River from which they learned about and developed an appreciation for a different type of community.

Grade two and three students organized the project “A Mountain of Macaroni” in which students collected over 75 pounds of macaroni dinner to donate to the Selkirk Food Bank.

Grade two and four students wrote post cards to the veterans on Remembrance Day thanking them and remembering them for their contributions to our country.

Grade four students organized a drive to collect food and toys for Christmas hampers for four needy families in the community, and contributed to the “Coats for Kids” project.

Grade five students put together a “Project Love” undertaking. Students brought financial contributions and purchased school supplies and then packaged them and sent them to African students along with letters of encouragement and best wishes.

Grade six students decided to spend their year working towards supporting the Humane Society. In May, after various successful contests and activities, they were able to make a donation of approximately $850.

Teachers were very proud of the students’ efforts, as were the recipients of all of this good will. In the words of one veteran, “On November eleventh I was honoured by being presented with a carnation and a card of remembrance. This was my first in my 62 years of attending November 11 services and it sure touched my heart and left me speechless.”