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Students Learn Lesson Of Giving

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 26, 2007

Updated: 12/22/2007 04:14 pm

APOLLO BEACH - Forty-four Apollo Beach Elementary School students recently learned that giving to others was also a gift to themselves.

After reading and discussing an article about homeless and at-risk students in classes taught by Shari Storch and Erna Frazier, the fourth-graders decided they wanted to do something to help. A brainstorming session led to a project designed to benefit 69 children at Metropolitan Ministries Academy in Tampa.

On Dec. 14, the classes hosted a disco-style dance for more than 200 schoolmates in grades three through five. The $5 admission included pizza, a snack and a drink. Additional snacks, trinkets and photo ops were available for 50 cents each. The kids netted $1,351 for books for the academy children.

The next stage of the project was a trip to the Brandon Barnes & Noble on Dec. 19, where the Apollo Beach students selected the books to give. That was followed by a trip to the academy.

There they had lunch and a book discussion with the third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. Then they paired with kindergartners, first- and second-graders, and read to them.

"What a wonderful thing they put together," said Thom Laux, academy principal. "When these kids came out, our kids exchanged candy canes for the books they brought.

"We were extremely touched as we watched them interact. Everyone was in tears."
Laux said students from both schools learned there were little differences between them.

"When the Apollo Beach children left, our students lined up against the fence and waved goodbye," he said, adding that before the end of the school year, his older students would travel to Apollo Beach Elementary.

Storch said the children gained some valuable insight.

"Our students learned that people are homeless for many different reasons. They're really just like us," she said. "And there's always something we can do to help, no matter how small.

"We wanted them, as much as possible, to experience the idea of self-sacrifice. The project was more successful than we ever dreamed possible."
Metropolitan Ministries Academy was founded in 1998. The kindergarten through fifth grade charter school moved to 110 E. Palm Ave. this year. The school serves homeless, at-risk and about-to-be homeless children.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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