Care, Compassion and Character Shown By Memorial School’s Third Grade Students

What is compassion? This has been the first focus for Memorial School third graders as they launch a yearlong positive character building initiative. The importance of showing compassion is being practiced and modeled daily. “Actions Change Things” is part of the emphasis and drive in our school. To demonstrate compassion more globally, and change things, third graders were introduced to the Make- A- Wish Foundation. The children “met” children through videos who have had wishes granted. Third grade teachers organized a weeklong “penny war”. Students brought in their donations to benefit Make- A- Wish. Memorial gym and art teachers upped the ante by offering an extra class to the highest donating homeroom. East Hampton Ace Hardware provided further excitement and encouragement by offering to double the amount raised by the students!

Incredibly $908.35 was raised by seven classes of third graders in four days!!! Mrs. Hennessey’s class was the top collector, with Mrs. Fearon’s a close second. We are so proud of their efforts and the fact that the real winners are the Make- A -Wish children who will benefit from their show of compassion. Thank you to EH Ace Hardware for matching. As a result, Memorial Elementary School third graders will be sending $1816.70 to the Make- A -Wish Foundation!

L to R: Richard Carl, Hailey Geoffery, Sofia Aresco, James O’Brien, Andrew Fenton, Calista Nephew, and Victoria Pitts