Zachary Lane Students Make A Difference

It started with a book.

Recently, teacher Kris Haagenson’s fourth grade class brought the pages of a story to life when they read about children who were making a difference for other children in the world and realized that they, too, could make a difference.

After reading a story called “Kid Reporters at Work" in Time for Kids, one of Haagenson’s students remarked that it would be cool to make a difference. 

“I responded by saying we could make a difference,” Haagenson said. “That led to brainstorming, which led to voting on what we could actually do.” 

They decided to do a project called Blankets and Bears.

The blanket part of the project was to make fleece blankets for kids who needed a blanket. The classroom of fourth graders was connected with a project called “Blankets for Peyton,” and the students constructed fleece blankets to be given to a variety of organizations.

The bears portion of the project was even bigger.

Working through a volunteer contact at the Red Cross, the students decided to collect teddy bears for the Red Cross to give to children who have lost possessions in fires or natural disasters. The original plan was just to do the drive in fourth grade, but it grew into a schoolwide event when principal Randy Moberg caught wind of the idea. Students in Haagenson’s class wrote and acted out skits on Veterans Day for two schoolwide assemblies, and the students created signs that are posted all around the school.

“It makes us feel good, and it’s fun, especially when you’re the organizers,” said fourth grader Jessica Hanley. “We’re excited to get the bears. We clap when one comes in.”

The school has collected 56 bears so far – and two stuffed dogs. People can also bring in money.

“Something small can do something big in the end,” said fourth grader Julia Pham.  “If others can do it, we can.”

The drive ends Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Zachary Lane Elementary School.

(Information provided by Robbinsdale School District 281.)