Why We IGC: East Hall Middle School
Each month leading up to IGC 2024, we are highlighting the educators and schools that have been instrumental in inspiring and motivating their students to support clean water projects in South Sudan. Next up is East Hall Middle School (EHMS) and Lori Brown!
This year will be their second year of participating in the Iron Giraffe Challenge. Last year, EHMS won third place and received a video call from Linda Sue Park.
Mrs. Brown shared, “Our school board had recently launched a new "literacy for all" initiative where teachers received Professional Development on incorporating literacy across ALL content areas. Science teachers were provided classroom libraries based on our standards of study. As we explored what books we could read with our students, A Long Walk to Water was one we thought could be a good fit with our Hydrology Unit. After learning about Salva and Water for South Sudan, we were in instant agreement that we wanted to pursue a Service Learning project with our students through IGC.”
“Our school is one of the lowest socio-economically disadvantaged in the district. As a Title I school, we are often only recognized for what we lack, yet, we know our students have A LOT to offer to our community and beyond. In the face of COVID and feeling incredibly defeated, we were inspired to show the true heart and soul of our school. We knew it would be challenging, but we wanted our students to realize the power of coming together for a common goal and what we can do when we come together. There is a misconception that just because people have less, that they "can't" give or don't have anything to offer. We were determined to demonstrate that compassion knows no limitation. Our goal as teachers was for our students to realize that even though they might have difficult circumstances, there are others in the world who have it much worse and there is always something to be grateful for and a way to help those who are less fortunate.”
Mrs. Brown continued, “Because of the socio-economic status of our community, we had to come up with creative ways to raise money that did not simply rely on donations and charity.
We asked ALL students to share what we were doing with at least ONE person over the Thanksgiving holiday. Students had to obtain at least ONE sponsor for a minimum of $1 in order to participate in our Water Walk. Students completed sponsor cards which we used to line the walls of our hallway to have a "visual display" of what we had collected. Students who had difficulty finding a family member to sponsor were sponsored by faculty members at school. We had 100% participation, and ALL students completed a water walk where they had to carry a gallon of water for 10 minutes.
Students in Advanced classes wrote letters to businesses in the district explaining what we were doing, our goal, and asking for a contribution. We received contributions from several businesses and the Rotary Club.
Sam's Club provided cases of bottled water as a contribution for the cause. Bottles of water were sold in the gym and to athletes during after-school practice.
Students also collected $1 donations from ANYONE in the school who wanted to vote for their favorite elf. The selected adult had to wear an Elf costume the last week before school.
The Elf then helped students raise additional funds by selling candy cane grams, where students purchased candy cane messages to send to others at school the final week prior to winter break.”
“The following year we focused on simply raising money to donate back to WFSS/IGC in hopes of education/repairs knowing that it would be nearly impossible to recreate the previous year in duplicate. We raised funds by having students simply obtain sponsors for the water walk that year.”
“We were thrilled to learn that a well had been completed and that our school had helped co-sponsor such a mission for a village. We received confirmation of this on our FINAL day of post-planning, so unfortunately our students had already been released for the summer. We rushed to send out social media blasts and contact students to let them know of their AMAZING accomplishment as the local newspaper wanted to compile a story. Three of our students were chosen to represent the school with interviews with the paper and felt like celebrities, yet very humble and proud. Parents were overjoyed at the opportunity that their students had and were equally amazed at what we were able to accomplish collectively.”
“The following year we asked some of our students to share with our new students what this experience was like, how it made them feel, and why it was important. It was encouraging to hear students share with other students WHY clean water is so important, HOW it doesn't take much to make a difference, and WHAT anyone can do to help. Seeing pictures of the village, the well, and people with so much joy over something that is one of life's basic needs truly left an impression on our students. Even though at times students like to complain about school, they have a better understanding of their right to a free education that is not worldwide.”
“The thing that left the biggest impact was the realization that there could be a young girl their age who now gets to go to school and could one day make a difference in her own community. It gives our students hope and encouragement to overcome their own struggles and circumstances in order to live a life where we do our best and help others.”
Mrs. Brown shared, “Students as 6th graders (ages 11-12) completed the IGC and are now 8th graders at the same school. We were fortunate enough to win a call with Linda Sue Park at the beginning of this year. Our students had some great questions for her, and her interview was shared with the group who also helped raise funds the following year. Words cannot express how grateful we were to hear Mrs. Park's praise of our students for saving lives. She was able to help them realize the level of impact they have made and gave them recognition they would never ask for, but truly deserve. We are so proud of this group of students, and they will forever leave a lasting impression on the teachers who had the privilege of guiding them through the process in hopes of making a life-long impact they will never forget.”
We are so inspired by Mrs. Brown and the entire EHMS family. Thank you and your students for sharing your time, passion, creativity, and dedication to making a difference in South Sudan.
Join teachers like Mrs. Brown and register for the Iron Giraffe Challenge today to have fun while making a local and global impact.
