Lesson in compassion: Students donate coats to needy children

Staff report

POLAND

Each week, North Elementary School students are urged to complete a random act of kindness.

A used-coat drive is under way as this week’s act of kindness, said principal Tracy Kaschak.

“Every Monday, I assign an act of kindness. It could be very simple, like saying ‘Good morning’ or ‘Good afternoon’ to their bus driver,” she said.

Lisa Weimer, secretary for the school’s Parent- Teacher Organization, came up with the idea after speaking with a friend who works in a Trumbull County elementary school.

The friend told Weimer that many of the children were coming to school in light coats or without any coat, so Weimer got the idea for the coat drive.

The coats will be given to students at that elementary school in Trumbull County.

Weimer also didn’t want the project to cost North Elementary students’ parents anything and stipulated that students bring in used coats.

“I’m trying to teach the kids kindness and compassion,” Weimer said.

At the end of the first day, students had already collected six coats for the project.

The school’s principal said she sees the weekly acts of kindness as part of students’ education.

“I hope they learn how to treat one another with respect,” Kaschak said.