Town Supports Students’ Project

To the Editor:

“I can’t believe I really made a difference!” “My neighbors were so awesome!” “The lady at the dog pound almost hugged me!” These are a sampling of the comments I heard from my seventh grade students as they became involved in a 2½-week assignment during which they tried to affect positive change with a social issue. You will be able to read about many of their accomplishments in the education section of The Bee, but I felt I needed to thank the people of Newtown for being some of the greatest “teachers” these students will ever have.

In order to accomplish their goals for this project, many students needed to solicit the help of parents, extended family, neighbors, merchants, town employees, and town volunteers. The following individuals, organizations, and businesses should be recognized.

Thanks to our wonderful dog wardens for welcoming students to the dog pound, letting them take photos, and answering their many questions. Special thanks also to Dunkin’ Donuts, Newtown Deli, Pet Connection, The General Store, Video Movie Corner, Bagel Delite, Newtown Florist, Newtown Hardware, The Drug Center Pharmacy, Newtown Car Care Center, Andrea’s Bake Shop, The Danbury Women’s Center, Berkshire Veterinary Hospital, Lexington Gardens, Misty Vale Deli, The Newtown Garden Club, The Homesteads of Newtown, The Dorothy Day Hospitality House, FAITH Food Panty, and The Danbury Animal Welfare Society for allowing students to leave collection containers in their businesses, for answering a host of student questions, for making contributions to the students’ causes, and for allowing the students to deliver contributions to their organizations.

Also, thanks to the wonderful neighbors throughout the town who opened their doors to students and positively reinforced their efforts by making generous contributions to their causes and encouraging them with compliments for the work they were doing. Finally, a big thank you to the neighbors (especially State Trooper Somosky) and family members who spent many hours helping students create informative video presentations and driving them “all over the place” to help them reach the goals they had set.

Our town and community became the students’ “classroom” for a few weeks, and what they found was a nurturing environment packed with a wealth of information and caring people. Many students have told me that the rewards for their efforts far outweighed the work, and they are planning to continue their involvement with their chosen social issue. Thank you, people of Newtown, for helping to inspire these outstanding kids.

Sincerely,

Karen Kirch

Seventh grade language arts teacher

Newtown Middle School, Queen Street                     March 23, 2004