Teaching Community Service to Our Students

April's Community Service Project -- The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

St. Michael's Day School is proud to encourage our students to look beyond the classroom into our community to see how they can help.  Through our Chapel Feet program we teach our students about such things as food insecurity and the food bank; Children's Miracle Network and what children in the hospital are feeling; those less fortunate who need winter coats or blankets; Ronald McDonald house and what families are going through when a child is sick; the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, raising awareness about this disease; and how sometimes our elderly and our wounded soldiers are lonely and would love to receive cards and happy pictures.

Each month we place the spotlight on an issue and strive to raise awareness, donations, etc. for a particular cause.

A few years ago, one of our teachers, Amanda Denahan, educated us on a disease her daughter Sage lives with every day. That disease is Cystic Fibrosis. The disease primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other systems like the digestive system.  In April, we set out to teach our families about this disease and raise donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Jars were placed in front of the classrooms sporting photos of each of our staff members. Families were asked to place donations into the jars.  The staff member who received the highest donations would kiss a REAL alligator!

The competition was fierce. Ms. Karen of the Purple Peacocks' class was in the lead for most of April. It seemed a done deal that she would be kissing that reptile!!  But then a new leader emerged!

We raised $105 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and a winner was declared -- Ms. Lizz!

Ms. Mary's husband, Ken, is a Fish and Wildlife Officer.  On May 13th, he brought a juvenille alligator to the school....with his mouth taped shut!  Mr. Ken held the alligator while our very own Red Robins' teacher Ms. Lizz puckered up and kissed her prince. I mean, alligator!

Mr. Ken stuck around to teach us a little about our 4-legged visitor and offered the children the option of touching the alligator's back!

Thank you Mr. Ken for helping us raise money for Cystic Fibrosis!

Thank you Ms. Lizz for being such a great sport!

And special thanks to all the families who donated to support our crazy scheme and most importantly to help kids like Sage have hope for a CURE for Cystic Fibrosis.

To learn more about Cystic Fibrosis visit http://www.cff.org/.