Every year Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, as part of
their 6th grade Advisory Program discusses the character of caring.
Students learn to put themselves ''in the other person's shoes".
The project called “Adopt a Soldier” focuses on supporting
our military Troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, stateside, and
around the world. Each homeroom “adopts” a service
person, learns about th person and prepares a care package for
him/her. The project begins with a family member introducing the
Troop with a picture collage from childhood through the present
and a biography. Through this the students connect emotionally
to the Troop which leads to a sense of caring. The materials are
left in the classroom for two weeks while students brainstorm what
they could put in their care package. The emotions run strong with
students, teachers and family members as moving stories touch everyone
and lead to the enthusiastic responses by the students about “their” Troop
.
The project wraps up with students presenting their packages to
family members who return to their class. Among the items in the
packages are letters, DVD’s, CD’s, magazines, books,
footballs, snacks, small photo albums with pictures from around
Summit, a personal letter to each service person from Dr. Ted Stanik,
principal. When we are luck enough to have a Troop in town their
visit to the school creates the stir more often associated with
rock stars. Vice-Principal Emile George, himself a veteran, displays
the flags from all branches of the armed forces. On this final
day, students, teachers, and parents feel the common bond with
the Troops, many of whom sat in the very seats of the current students,
and who now are proud representatives of the City of Summit and
of the United States of America around the world. See the photos of this terrific project.
