South Students Continue to ‘Pay It Forward’ to the Community

Winding down the end of the school year at South Elementary School, Des Plaines has reason to reflect on a celebratory 125th year and recap some of the kid’s philanthropic endeavors like the ‘Pay it Forward Initiative’ program.

“We’ve had an amazing year building great relationships and memories while participating in many wonderful school events,” said Kristin Jares, principal at South Elementary School. "It has been unforgettable.”

Recently South School participated in the ‘Pay It Forward Initiative’ sponsored by the Des Plaines Youth Commission.

In April South students were encouraged to be kind to others. Their acts of kindness were recognized in a kindness tree overflowing with colorful paper flowers that garnered their names. The final count of flowers and good deeds was 223.

Students were encouraged to share those deeds within their community and voted to award Des Plaines Self Help Closet and Panty their earnings and donations.

“The Pay It Forward Inititive has been a great success this school year teaching them the meaning of something as simple as an act of kindness,” said Katerina Vaselopulos, psychologist at South Elementary School. “It helps remind our students that being a great student also means being a part of our school community by keeping those promises.”

Sponsors who gave either items for the pantry or financial donations included:

• Graceland Prairie Dental who gave items including toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss totaling 223 items to the Pantry.
• Action Metals Recycling Inc. sponsored South School students with 223 canned goods.
• Des Plaines Community Foundation gave a check for $223. A $1 for each good deed done by the students was given to the Pantry in recognition of South School.

“Seeing the 223 canned goods or 223 dental products made a serious impact on the students” said Erin Doerr, South School PTO President.

Des Plaines Community Foundation Board member Jan Goczkowski of Century 21—Langos & Christian presented the $223 check to Deb Walusiak, Executive Director of the Des Plaines Self Help Closet and Pantry in recognition of the students in the Pay it Forward program at South School.

As they presented the check and donated items in front of the students the kids felt how their efforts truly made a difference in the community. The really wanted to continue to give back.

“During these hard times all food pantries are pressed for help with so many people out of work,” said Rosemary Argus, executive director of the Foundation. “The Foundation Trustees voted unanimously to donate.”

If any company or individual would like to make a donation to the pantry on behalf of South Elementary School, we welcome them to continue the acts of kindness all year long, said Doerr.

As South School wraps up this special 125th anniversary school year, they continue to pay it forward with a memory book showing highlights of this special year. Former students and faculty are invited to stop in the office and pick up a book for free.

Highlights in the book include:

· Students nominated by teachers earning student focused awards for showing exemplary work

· South School outreach listing local "Friends of South School"

· 125th parade and open house where hundreds of individuals and community groups gathered to celebrate

The future is bright for South. They look forward to a completed playground made possible by a grant from Rivers Casino in the amount of $22,211. Also VFW Post 2992 donated $1,000. South School PTO will also contribute to this project.

South Elementary School is a public school located in Des Plaines, IL. It has 219 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. For assistance, please call (847) 824-1566.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

PHOTO 1: Afternoon Kindergarten class showcasing their donations and earnings to give to the pantry like toothbrushes and canned goods. (Right) Jan Goczkowski, Des Plaines Community Foundation board member, holds check to give to Deb Walusiak, Executive Director, Des Plaines Food Pantry. Present, (Top Left) Dr. Paul Hertel, Interim D62 Superintendent, Deb Walusiak Des Plaines Food Pantry, Todd Fingerman, Owner Action Metal Recycling Inc., Kristin Jares, Principal South Elementary School, Jan Goczkowski, Des Plaines Community Foundation.

PHOTO 2: Jan Goczkowski, board member Des Plaines Community Foundation accepts a thank you from kindergarten South School Students. DPCF generously sponsored South's Pay it Forward Initiative with a $223 check to recognize 223 good deeds achieved by students last month.