As a part of their financial literacy and budgeting lessons, each Journey Village has chosen a local non-profit organization to learn about and partner with to support their efforts to give back and help others. During their WyoTowne preparation units, 4th and 5th-grade students learn about philanthropy, the donation of time, financial resources, and research different nonprofit organizations in the community. The idea for the school-wide project stemmed from important lessons implemented as part of that experience in previous years, explained 4th-grade teacher Becky Junge, “We wanted to create an opportunity to expand on this understanding to the entire building, and begin laying the foundations for financial literacy and how we can give back. It is important for kids at an early age to understand that they can have an impact!”
Students learn about their chosen organization and engage in a collaborative discussion by asking the organization leaders questions on the importance of giving and community engagement. The terrific learning and collaboration opportunity is taken to the next level with the heartfelt and generous student donation of “Hero Bucks” from each school village.
All Journey students earn “Hero Bucks” each quarter to spend on various things such as snacks, crafting, extra playtime, donating, and more. Through this project, classroom villages chose different organizations to donate their Journey dollars. The organizations, Orr’s Hope Foundation, Make A Wish Wyoming, and the Casper Humane Society, are then graciously supported by local community members so inspired by the student’s genuine intent and desire to donate; they then “cover” the donation. Journey Elementary would like to thank Jim and Shannon Orr, Brettnee Tromble, and John Miracle for their support and exceptional example of generosity, leadership, and dedication to caring for others.
Orr’s Hope Foundation, the chosen organization for the Kindergarten and First-Grade Journey Village, supports Wyoming families facing challenges of premature birth and medically complex conditions. Orr's Hope Foundation Board Member and former Journey teacher, Ali Orr, is thrilled to see the lifelong connection students make through this service opportunity, "Partnering with students at such a young age teaches them the idea of philanthropy and being able to give back to their community. When they begin in Kindergarten, it's going to last, hopefully, through adulthood."
First-grade teacher Stephanie Soliz is extremely proud of how the students have approached the project, "I have been very proud of the kids. I have had several kids in my classroom that have told me they would rather donate their money instead of spending it on themselves at the school store. As of right now, the K/1 Village has raised $520 for Orr’s Hope Foundation.”
Students in the 2nd and 3rd-grade village chose Make-A-Wish Wyoming, which creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. To date, students in the 2nd and 3rd-grade village have raised $695 to support Make a Wish Wyoming. "It is wonderful to see kids in our community learning about philanthropy and learning about non-profits at such a young age. Not only learning non-profits but how they can get involved," shared Morgan Polonic, CEO of Make a Wish Wyoming.
"At Journey, we believe a lot in community service," shared 3rd-grade teacher Joseph Frieze, "We want these students to exit Journey and be advocates for themselves as well as advocates for others around them. For some, their outlet is being able to help others, and we just want to grow that inside of them."
After researching the local impact of various organizations, 4th and 5th-grade students voted to support the Casper Humane Society. So far this academic year, students have donated $850 to the organization and are already seeing the positive impact of their donations. “They take care of animals and make sure they have a better home, and they aren’t living in the streets. It makes me feel good to be able to help them,” shared Maria (4th-grade). Serena, 5th-grade student, shared in the excitement of being able to feel good about the choices you make that positively impact others, "I think it's really cool because we are able to help and make it so the animals can survive. I think it's cool because turning school money into real money can also help them! It makes me feel good that I have helped other people!"
Lindsey Williamson, 4th-grade teacher, sees positive impacts of this incredible community project spreading throughout the school, “Students are taking their learning of being a good citizen and community member and extending it into the classroom and other places around the building. They are more willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need and do it with a sense of confidence and gratification. It is very important for students to have opportunities to give to our community and see their actions making a positive difference for others because it allows them to feel a sense of belonging to our community and the great good of humanity. Students are displaying characteristics of quality citizenship and growing in more ways than just their academics.”
The power of everyday measures adding up to make a positive impact is taking on new meaning at Journey Elementary. “When students heard from each of these community agencies and how they support others in need, as well as from the matching donors explaining to the kids why this community outreach is important, they became inspired to help. More than one student has brought in their money to donate,” shared Principal Taylor-Logan “If elementary students can help inspire and transform, they feel empowered to collaborate and work together to accomplish great things to help the community. This has caused an environment of unity, drive to work together, and a sense of making a greater impact outside ourselves.”
Journey Elementary is committed to focusing on providing an engaging learning environment for students based on differentiated instruction!