Together As One, to Support the Finger Lakes SPCA
A service learning project that CPP Middle School teachers Mr. Tahirak and Mrs. Larson did with their 7th grade students to help support the Finger Lakes SPCA grew beyond the walls of their two classrooms. A donation effort was built on simple acts of giving by their students. Mr. Tahirak explained how it worked. He said, “Students earn tickets for any act of kindness, excellent work in our classes, or extraordinary participation. We usually use these tickets in weekly or monthly drawings for prizes that students get to keep.”
Mr. Tahirak and Mrs. Larson told the students that instead of earning a prize, they had the opportunity to donate their tickets as a ‘monetary’ donation toward the Finger Lakes SPCA. The tickets were converted to a real dollar amount that Mr. Tahirak and Mrs. Larsen donated themselves.
He said, “Our students were so eager to pay forward their already excellent characteristics that we had a solid donation amount to give.”
Mr. Tahirak said, “On top of that, we had other teachers, parents and community members so impressed that they made monetary donations as well. Our own Superintendent, Ms. Caulfield, made a very significant donation to support our efforts! Prior to winter break we took over $800 worth of donations to the Finger Lakes SPCA with twelve of our students.”
Students toured the facilities, heard about their work, and left feeling the impact that not only they made, but that the SPCA organization makes.
“We also thank CPP District Instructional Department Administrative Assistant Mrs. Tammy Townsend. She helped shop for supplies we donated,” Mr. Tahirak said.
He added, “We are truly humbled by the way that our students came together to support a cause that affects so many of us.”
#TogetherAsOne #Hawks