Blanton Elementary Best students sponsors fund-raiser project

Blanton Elementary School recently held a March of Dimes fund-raiser, "Have a Heart for Babies," during Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Families of students who wanted to participate were asked to donate $1 for every healthy child and/or grandchild in the family. Teachers and other staff members included lessons detailing how their donations to the March of Dimes would support families of premature babies or babies born with various birth defects.

"Have a Heart for Babies!" is one of several projects sponsored by students in the school's Blanton's Best program. Students in the program are fifth and sixth graders who have demonstrated that they are self-managers, meaning they manage their behavior in a positive and responsible way without adult supervision. Blanton's Best students planned the March of Dimes fund-raiser, advertised it, sold pink and blue paper hearts, and then displayed the hearts on the gym wall.

More than $2,000 was collected during the fund-raiser through generous donations by students, their families, and Blanton staff members.

Students in the Blanton's Best program can be found in many areas of the school working at various junior volunteer jobs as well. Whether assisting as a teacher's aide, shelving books in the library, delivering breakfast trays to the classrooms in the morning, or monitoring younger students in the hallways, these students provide invaluable services to the school.

Junior volunteers at Blanton participate in the school district's Junior V.I.P.S. (Volunteers In Public Schools) program. Their volunteer jobs are conducted in a very business-like manner. Students must be wearing their Blanton's Best Badge when they report to their assignment where they sign in and record their volunteer time. During the course of their Junior V.I.P.S. service throughout the year, the students are learning responsibility, reliability, and leadership skills - all qualities that will serve them well when they enter the world of work.

The coordinator of the Blanton Best's program is the school counselor Jo Briley.

Worthy projects completed by the Blanton's Best students enhance their sense of belonging and ownership of school and community. Last December the students went caroling at Buena Vida Nursing Home and delivered Christmas cards with personal messages of cheer. In March they sponsored the school's TAKS pep rally, decorating the gym with a banner, balloons and streamers. With several more weeks of school remaining, the students are looking forward to being Reading Buddies for the younger children at school.

The Junior V.I.P.S. at Blanton Elementary School are regarded as trustworthy helpers who can be relied on to get a job done and do it well.

At the same time the program is helping the students prepare for success in the future, their positive attitude, creative energy and hours of service have proven to be a tremendous asset to the school.