Concord Kids Care
In response to the devastation from tornadoes in Missouri, students met in class meetings to voice their concerns and find ways to help. Having experienced the destruction of a tornado first hand in their neighborhoods earlier that year, students were eager to help children whose schools and homes were damaged in Joplin. After contacting the Joplin School District, buddy classes, student council members, and the character committee began researching the power of tornadoes, comparing the devastation in Joplin to St. Louis; then brainstorming a variety of projects to help the Joplin students. During this idea-making process, two students who had each spent a long time in the Children's Hospital suggested our school also help young patients who were in thehospital. They brought their ideas to the character committee and shared in class meetings. Since many of our students had memories of hospital visits for themselves, friends, or relatives, they readily embraced the project. The students and their parents contacted Children's Hospital and asked what was needed. The school quickly implemented both projects, calling it "Concord Kids Care".