Charity starts at…school?

Wow Parents, you should be so proud of your children. I had the whole class complete a socratic seminar today on the topic of “Who should we donate our money to?” We’ve been told by the P.T.S.A. that we have 2000 rmb per class left over from our fund this year and boy did your child have some ideas on how to spend it. I really wish you could have been a fly on the wall. Some of the many statements that stood out to me included:

“We have to help people first before we can help animals and the environment” which was answered with “without the environment there will be NO people”

“Humanity won’t be extinct if we just lose a few lives” which was answered with ” but how would you feel if you were one of those lives”

“The environment helps everyone”

“Saving the world is what we are looking for”

They are just so beautiful and positive and full of hope, it is inspiring to see.

So here are some of the suggestions they made, some ideas for them to pursue further and just some good charities that they might like to read about.

Children International

American Red Cross

Jaiya’s Animal Rescue

World Wildlife Fund

Baobei Foundation

Oxfam Australia

Oxfam America

and as we all know… there are plenty more.

Have a think 5kp and discuss today with your parents, I was very proud of all of you. We CAN make a difference.

The Starfish Story

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.

May has been flat out, here are some photos of Map Tests (check some of those facial expressions), great times with our reading buddies, learning with Lego, and China Alive… and there is still more good times to come!

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a project run each holiday season to help out

Chinese children less fortunate than ourselves.

Please read the attached document for background information. The Giving Tree

Each classroom at SAS sponsors five children but we have taken on another child so that students in 5KP will work in teams of three to fill a bag each.  Students from that class bring in new clothing, toys, and special items to give to that child.

5KP has been given the great opportunity to give to these children so please give generously to:

1.                   He YiLing, a girl

a.       6 years old

b.      112 cm tall

c.       19 kilos in weight

d.      19.5 cm. shoe size

2.                  Meng Ting, a girl

a.       6 years old

b.      111 cm. tall

c.       16 kilos in weight

d.      19.5 cm. shoe size

3.                   Ye Yuan, a boy

a.       7 years old

b.      119 cm. tall

c.       18 kilos in weight

d.      22 cm. shoe size

4.                  Zhu JunQi, a boy

a.       6 years old

b.      108 cm. tall

c.       18 kilos in weight

d.      20 cm. shoe size

5.                  Dai Jun Jie, a boy

a.       6 years old

b.      121 cm. tall

c.       21 kilos in weight

d.      21 cm. shoe size

6.                   Ma Chun Yan, a girl

a.       6 years old

b.      104 cm tall

c.       20 kilos in weight

d.      20 cm. shoe size

Please bring in your donations by December 1st.

Thank you so much for participating in this wonderful yearly program that brings some happiness to such special children!