Grade Schoolers Pitch in on Tsunami Relief

Not long after hearing of the devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan earlier this year, students at Babylon Memorial Grade School rallied to coordinate a relief project for the people of the affected region.

“We all wanted to do something to help those affected by the earthquake,” stated fourth grader Julia Minicozzi.

The Japan Helping Project Committee, comprised of teachers, student council advisors, and the building’s PTA president, created educational packets of information on the event, which were also the basis for science-related discussions about earthquakes and tsunamis.

Following in-class discussions on the natural disaster and the importance of being responsible and showing empathy, the school’s students created patriotic wrist bracelets using red, white, and blue yarn provided by the school’s PTA. Each student created a bracelet and brought home enough yarn to make two more bracelets with their families. The school’s students, teachers, and families made donations to the American Red Cross-Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Fund.

“The colors of the bracelets we made were symbolic of our country’s patriotism and how alone we can make a small difference, but together we can make a big difference,” added fourth grader Joseph Conti.