Renbrook School Seventh Graders Raise Money for Fidelco

The annual Renbrook School Fidelco Fundraising Project serves as the culminating event for the Dog Unit in seventh grade Life Science. As students study dogs and dog breeds, they become more aware of their own human development and the differences that make them unique as individuals; this leads to an understanding of how they are each a valuable contributor to the seventh grade community. In addition to inviting well-behaved family dogs to visit their class, the students welcome representatives and their dogs from the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and Oak Hill, an organization that helps people with disabilities. Ben Garson from Dogology explained how a master dog trainer trains a dog, and two owners of therapy dogs explained the therapeutic effect of dogs in settings such as schools, hospitals, airports, libraries, and prisons.

The seventh graders planned, prepared and executed a business plan for the fundraiser whose goal is to generate enthusiasm for donations to Fidelco, an organization that supports the needs of the blind. The students designed the publicity and communication for the event and provide meaningful activities to engage attendees. The entire school was invited to attend the big event where seventh graders organized a number of experiences and activities, including a "blind obstacle course," a dog trivia game, and an auditory challenge: "Do you speak dog?" Local pet supply stores also donated items for a blind auction. The centerpiece of the event were three Fidelco puppies-in-training - Piper, Valor, and Wookie - and everyone present them and many had their picture taken with a Fidelco puppy in the puppy photo booth. It was a great group effort and the bake sale and Friday event raised over $2500.00.

In photo: from left to right seventh graders Haley S. of Avon, Kate S. of West Hartford, Ella T. of West Simsbury and Simone R. of Avon.

To learn more about Renbrook School, an independent day schools serving students from preschool to grade 8 visit www.renbrook.org/meetrenbrook. RSVP to our Spring Inside Look for K-5 Families on April 11th at 9AM. RSVP at www.renbrook.org/insidelook