Why We IGC: Sugar Hill Elementary
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 Sugar Hill Elementary School and Chris Wood, Teacher and Junior Beta Club Advisor!
Since the 2017-2018 school year, Sugar Hill Elementary School has raised over $8,700 for WFSS. Their goal this year is to raise $2,000.
Chris shared, “Years ago, I read the book, A Long Walk to Water. As the Beta Club sponsor and classroom teacher, I then shared it with my interested fifth-grade students. Many were also Beta Club members. Because of our reading and discussions, we found the Water for South Sudan website and the Iron Giraffe Challenge. The Iron Giraffe Challenge became our club initiative during the 2017-2018 school year and has been each year since!”
“The students in Beta Club realized that their leadership could reach beyond our community. They were excited to put the Beta motto “Let Us Lead by Serving Others” to work in a way that would have a global impact.”
“Students create their own fundraising pages through our WFSS team site. They are invited to share at home with their families and friends to educate our local community about the global initiative. Additionally, there have been years we have read age-appropriate picture books, such as "The Water Princess," to classes and held a friendly competition between classrooms to see which group could bring in the most money for WFSS. We also provide jeans passes for staff members who make donations to our WFSS initiative. Teachers love a "dress down" day!”
Sugar Hill Elementary School’s Junior Beta Club was featured in the Gwinnett Magazine during the 2017-2018 school year (fun fact: the article was written by Chris’s daughter, Morgan Wood, during her senior year of high school internship! She has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia, and her master's is in Human Rights and Social Justice from Arizona State University. Morgan is now a professional writer and currently writes for Mainland.)
Chris elaborates, “Students are amazed to learn that not all children have access to clean water. They are also saddened to learn that some children can not go to school because they are walking long distances in search of clean water for their families.”
“They are able to understand that they have the privilege of easily accessible, clean water along with education. Once they learn this, they want to help children and families who are less fortunate. Through Water for South Sudan and the Iron Giraffe Challenge, they are also able to understand that even the youngest leaders can have a global impact through their willingness to serve.”
We are so inspired by Chris and the entire Sugar Hill Elementary School family. Thank you and your students for sharing your time, passion, creativity, and dedication to making a difference in South Sudan.
Join teachers like Chris and register for the Iron Giraffe Challenge today to have fun while making a local and global impact.
