43
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Alyssa Patrick's second-grade class sang songs for the Poland Rotary meeting at Poland Union on Feb. 8.
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Some of the Big Dogs from Poland Seminary High School talked to the Poland Rotary about Start With Hello Week at Poland Schools and how they take part in it.
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Second-grader Kate Liddle gave Todd Bury of the Poland Rotary an envelope full of thank you letters the students wrote for the Poland Rotary.
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Members of the Poland Rotary watched second-grade students perform different songs for them during their meeting at Poland Union on Feb. 8.
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Todd Bury of the Poland Rotary read some of the thank you letters the second-grade students at Poland Union wrote to the Rotary on Feb. 8.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Poland Union invited the Poland Rotary to have their weekly meeting at the school as part of Start With Hello week on Feb. 8.
Start With Hello week encourages students to be kind to one another and make sure everyone feels included in the classroom and the community. The Poland Rotary was invited to Union to bring the community and school together.
There were several Poland Rotary members who came to the school to enjoy a lunch and a special performance from Alyssa Patrick’s second-grade class. The students sang a couple songs for the Rotary members and then gave them an envelope full of thank you letters the students wrote for the Rotary.
“We wanted to build upon the momentum from last year, so this year we really wanted to reach out to the community. Our focus was continuing the programs like the Big Dog Little Dog, but also really incorporating the community to spread the message of awareness,” said counselor Lauren Mechling.
Throughout the week, students in kindergarten through twelfth-grade participated in different activities to celebrate Start With Hello. The activities included things that would make the students feel connected with each other, students from other schools and in the community.
“Rotary Club being involved with the schools is something we want to continue to support the schools in any way we can,” said Todd Bury, member of the Poland Rotary.
Having the students learn about the Poland Rotary at a young age allows them to associate the Rotary with positivity and as a club that helps people. Having the Rotary visit Union serves as a way for the school to interact with the community and spread awareness of Start With Hello Week.
The Rotary club is more than willing to return to the school whenever they are invited back.