Good idea
Fifth- and sixth-graders at Southside Elementary School have learned valuable lessons in a different type of classroom. They have participated in an adopt-a-grandparent program created by Southside teacher Jackie Pontius.
Students were paired with senior residents at Willow Crossing Health and Rehabilitation Center. Initially, students and grandparents exchanged letters, to introduce themselves and learn about the other. Later, pictures of the grandparents were shown to the students. Finally, they began to meet their grandparents in person.
The program is a great idea and wonderful opportunity for students to learn valuable life lessons: value what is on the inside of a person; a large difference in age doesn’t have to be a barrier to friendship; and aging is a natural part of the life cycle.
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Important support
IUPUC’s Nursing Division received a boost from Heritage Fund — The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, which awarded it a $50,000 grant, and future annual awards of $12,500 from 2016 through 2019.
The $100,000 awarded over that period will help the school’s efforts to retain and attract nurses. That’s important because of the growing demand for their services.
The added benefit of the financial support is that the stronger IUPUC’s nursing program is, the more likely it is to attract a greater number of nursing students. That’s good for the school and the community.
Good effort
Leaders of the Student Assembly at Columbus North High School went to work before the holidays to collect nonperishable food items for an estimated 150 families in need that are served by the Love Chapel Food Pantry.
Organizers hoped to collect about 20,000 items, about 3,000 more than was collected last year. That’s because the need is great. Love Chapel’s food pantry feeds more than 1,000 households monthly.
This effort demonstrate true leadership among high school students and kind, caring hearts.
