R.M.T. Johnson School

Bridges of Peace and Hope

The fourth grade students of Mrs. Teed and Mrs. Donohue completed a winter clothing drive as a community service project.  Working with Bridges of Peace and Hope, a non-profit organization working to promote goodwill and understanding through educational projects, the students collected and organized winter wear to distribute to families in Margaretville, NY who were severely impacted by the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. The students were also invited to perform in a benefit concert on November 20, with John Farrell, BoPH founder. They collaborated on a song, “One by One.” The following students were able to attend the concert and perform: Joseph Bagala, Nicole Bagala, Isabelle Beers, Dylan DiSalvo, Colton Moles, Pearl Ohri, Daniel Ramsey, and Parker Ritchie.  

Mrs. Quader and Mrs. Bianco's classes visit Circle of Friends 

In January and February, Mrs. Quader and Mrs. Bianco’s classes went to Berry School’s Circle of Friends for a community service project. They were divided into three classes. They read St. Valentine’s Day books to the preschoolers and made an animal using different sized hearts. The kids had a lot of fun, and learned a craft at the same time. The fourth graders who participated felt really good because they made the preschoolers smile and laugh. The kids thought the paper animals were so cute, and they took them home.

Jump Rope for Heart

Every year Johnson School students participate in Jump Rope for Heart—an event that is sponsored by the American Heart Association. Jump Rope for Heart promotes the value of physical activity to elementary school children while showing them they can contribute to their community’s welfare. Positive learning experiences help to establish a positive attitude and appreciation for participating in regular, daily physical activity for life. Johnson School has been involved in Jump Rope for Heart for 24 years and has raised more than $300,000 for this very worthy cause.

Hurricane Irene Relief 

As part of our outreach to help others this year, Mr. Correia and Mr. Moscowitz’s classes supported the students at Owego Elementary School in New York. The school has approximately 500 students and as many as half of the student population were without homes that they could live in due to the damage from Hurricane Irene. Many families had a great deal of cleanup ahead of them and funds were short. Our classes decided to donate school supplies to the students of Owego Elementary School so they could start their school year without the additional financial burden of buying these supplies.

Daffodil Planting at Johnson

Mrs. Wicklund and Mrs. Schrader’s classes continued the tradition of planting daffodil bulbs around the building. This fall the boys and girls planted the bulbs up by the Johnson School sign and around the small trees near the sign. Some single ones were even planted in the lawn. Bulbs were also planted around the memorial to Mrs. Sandy Kasack, located near the softball field. We hope that everyone enjoys the beauty daffodils add to the spring!

Winter Clothing Drive

The fourth grade students of Mrs. Teed and Mrs. Donohue recently completed a winter clothing drive as a community service project.  Working with Bridges of Peace and Hope, a non-profit organization working to promote goodwill and understanding through educational projects, the students collected and organized winter wear to distribute to families in Margaretville, NY who were severely impacted by the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene.  The students were also invited to perform in a benefit concert on November 20, with John Farrell, BoPH founder. The students sang with John on stage, including a verse that they wrote with him during his visit to Johnson School.  In addition, they expressed the entire song in American Sign Language!  Special thanks go to the following students who were able to attend the concert and perform: Joseph Bagala, Nicole Bagala, Isabelle Beers, Dylan DiSalvo, Colton Moles, Pearl Ohri, Daniel Ramsey, Parker Ritchie! 

Brotherhood-in-Action food drive and Birdfeeders 

            This year Room 7 was involved in two community service projects. The first one was Brotherhood-in-Action in November. Six of the fourth grade classes conducted a “can” competition to see which of the classes brought in the most items. And the winner was…Brotherhood-in–Action.

            Our second project was to feed the birds, and of course the squirrels.  Unfortunately, two of the three birdfeeders we were using disappeared one weekend. We refused to let that stop us! Since the birds had gotten used a supply of food, we decided to just spread the birdseed under the tree. It worked. We now see birds and squirrels hunting around the tree to see what they can find!