There is power in giving. Power in the form of compassion, empathy and collaboration. Power in recognizing that there is a need and that you can do something to help fulfill that need. And let me tell you – our local students are powerful.
Throughout the year, we strive to raise our children to practice the traits of good character such as kindness, generosity, honesty, self-restraint, personal discipline, personal responsibility, respect for others, respect for property, and respect for authority. But it is during this season of thanksgiving and reflection that I find I am especially proud of our students as they give back this holiday season.
For example, our high school basketball teams teamed up to help prepare the community Thanksgiving dinner, serving over 2,000 people; high school students helped with an activity at Awakening Minds Art studio to bring arts to our neighbors with disabilities; and the high school participated in the annual Salvation Army Canned Food Drive, collecting thousands of items to be donated to local families. Later this school year, our Liberty-Benton High School students will participate in a toiletries collection for Hope House, City Mission and other local outreach agencies. They will also create complete senior care kits to be delivered to nursing home residents as well as loose change to purchase supplies for hurricane outreach relief in Florida. Not to mention the individual community service hours our students will spend in the community.
Liberty-Benton Middle School students also participate in the Salvation Army Food Drive and collected 5,701 items this year. In addition, they collected over 150 coats, which will be distributed to local families in need.
And these are just some examples of what our local children are doing to help their community. Service learning is incorporated into so much of what we do and teach at Liberty-Benton. We want our students to feel empowered to make a difference and understand that no task is too big or too small to take on if you do so with passion and perseverance.
I’m incredibly proud to be a part of such a committed and compassionate school district and community, which includes our school staff, who work tirelessly every day to create great experiences for our students – giving their own time and talent to make sure our students are receiving the educational experience they need and deserve.
My hope is that everyone finds time and space this holiday season to give back, express gratitude and surround yourself with the company of loved ones. There is power in that as well. Have a Happy Holiday season!
Mark Kowalski
Superintendent
Liberty-Benton Local Schools