Ratushniak Elementary School children are a group of children who smile.
This year they are spending some time focusing on where some of those smiles come from. They are learning about volunteers and know their playground equipment, hot lunches and more are there for them because of the generosity of volunteers.
Last year, during virtue assemblies, they were inspired by Olympic Games materials focusing on athletes and their virtues. Staff members knew those qualities were strong in the people they knew.
"In our community people embody all those virtues and they're not going for any glory," said teacher Jean McPherson.
This year the assemblies will focus on volunteering and the volunteers and groups in the Maidstone area who demonstrate the values of generosity, co-operation, helpfulness, service, caring, compassion and kindness. McPherson says the students are learning the difference between paid workers and volunteers and, as they practise volunteering, they learn about the many other people who are sharing their time and talents.
"In our school we are always looking for ways to link to the community," said McPherson. There is hope the students who are not accustomed to volunteering will want to get involved and groups having trouble recruiting new people will find new volunteers.
The school has had two assemblies on the theme, so far. Last week the theme was compassion. Students read about the different virtues and watched a PowerPoint slide show with photographs of various service groups and facilities supported by volunteers. A short presentation was given about the role of volunteers at Pine Island Lodge and Pine Island Suites. Various classes spent time experiencing volunteerism and pictures of the young people reading to seniors and playing bingo were part of the program.
At the end of the assembly the students were split into their cross grade groups to complete an activity. The groups allow the children to spend some time with others they wouldn't normally be with as they learn about working with people of various ages, developing leadership and co-operation skills.
Time and talent shared can build smiles and in Maidstone the young are learning how to build them today and for the future.
