How these Staten Island students are aiding their community | In Class column

IN CLASS: This article highlights the different activities that involve school communities and is a part of a continuing education section.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Students from Staten Island Middle School recently teamed up with their instructors and other school personnel to assist fill the school’s food pantry and provide supplies for clothing and toiletries.

In October 2023, teachers Taryn Volpe, Bryana Souvenir, and Stephanie Gonzalez of Graniteville’s Markham Intermediate School (I.S. 51) founded a community service group. When the teachers realized that many of the pupils in the school were in need of basic goods like food, clothing, and hygiene, the idea was born.

The food pantry at school is stocked by students. (Photo by Taryn Volpe)Volpe Taryn

Club members sacrifice one or two lunch breaks each week to assist their teachers in restocking the pantry and providing supplies for clothing and toiletries. Over 150 individuals were fed by the 24 Thanksgiving meals they distributed to families at the school as part of their efforts to give food for those in need over the holiday season.

The club launched Operation Secret Elves last month with the goal of providing over 100 kids with a memorable Christmas and holiday season. In addition to providing financial support, school staff members sponsored families and gave toys, clothes, and other necessities.

The service club’s “Operation Secret Elves” project involves students working at a gift-wrapping station. (Photo by Taryn Volpe)Volpe Taryn

Volpe clarified that the majority of the families who got this aid are in temporary accommodation and have fallen on hard times. The club is able to raise money because of the support of the school’s personnel and families, as well as Principal Nicholas Mele.

THE GIVING SEASON

With assistance from the Teddy Atlas Foundation and Amazon, Integration Charter Schools distributed 1,500 gifts to kids throughout its Staten Island schools over the holiday season. (From Integration Charter Schools, with permission)Charter Schools for Integration

Integration Charter Schools (ICS), which runs Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, New Ventures Charter School, The Richmond Preparatory Charter School, and the Early College Charter School on Staten Island, has a heartwarming tradition of giving holiday gifts to over 1,500 students.

Since ICS institutions are public, all students are welcome and tuition is free.

To ensure that every kid learns the value of giving and receiving, ICS provides gifts to its student body each year. Amazon’s and the Teddy Atlas Foundation’s assistance made many of these gifts possible.

This year, the gifts were distributed at a special morning ceremony that created a sense of joy and solidarity among the ICS community as students eagerly opened their presents.

According to ICS, the program also emphasizes the value of community collaborations and the strength of giving, particularly the spirit of giving around the holidays.

Lavelle Preparatory Charter School, New Ventures Charter School, Richmond Preparatory Charter School, and the Early College Charter School are all run by Integration Charter Schools on Staten Island.Charter Schools for Integration

Do you have any ideas for stories for the section on in-class education? Annalise Knudson, education reporter, can be reached by email [email protected].

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