I love linking up to a wonderful celebratory community, inspired by Ruth Ayres, every Saturday!
You might know, if you follow my blog or follow me on social media, that I was so inspired by Linda Sue Park's A Long Walk to Water when I read it in the summer of 2013, that I collaborated with blogging friend, David Etkin, and a colleague at school, Tracy Kleis, and we started #ReadWalkWater - a social action plan with our 6th graders to help bring clean water to South Sudan. David and I blogged about it on the Nerdy Book Club blog. His school started working with the Ugandan Water Project, and Columbia Intermediate teamed up with Water for South Sudan, Inc. This past fall was our third annual #ReadWalkWater event. Together with the kids, the community, the staff, and Ethicon, a division of Johnson & Johnson (a parent approached Tracy with a grant opportunity with Ethicon), we've raised over $35,000.
Last week, we learned some amazing news! Columbia Intermediate is the first school in the world to win the Iron Giraffe Super Challenge (raising over $25,000 in the 2014-2105 and 2105-2016 school years). The grand prize is a visit from Salva Dut in March!! On March 29th, he will visit the 6th graders at our school. He will also present at the junior high, since the current 7th and 8th graders were involved in our first two walks. We are also planning a Rotary breakfast, a luncheon, and an evening community event. We are so honored to be blessed with a visit from such an inspirational man. It's so exciting to know that Kings Local Schools students have made an amazing positive impact on the world, and they will get to meet real-life A Long Walk to Walk character and founder of Water for South Sudan, Salva Dut!
It's so exciting to see photos of Columbia Intermediate 6th graders in Linda Sue's TEDxBeaconStreet video below:
Wow- I haven't followed your story Holly and am just learning it now. Amazing what can happen when inspiration leads to action.
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHolly, this is so marvelous, for the students, for you, and for the South Sudan, of course. I imagine you "walked" many extra miles yourself to accomplish this, with help, too. I'm sure you're proud.
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing! I knew you were putting this together when you first started, but did not keep up with the story to know how far you have come with it. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the fun pics. I haven't read Long Walk to Water, so I'm requesting it from the library. And I'll be back later to watch the videos. My husband traveled to Haiti twice to help a group that drills water wells there. Your students will be forever impacted by their participation in this project. So glad that your speaker will also present at the junior high. It sounds like a community-wide event.
ReplyDeleteThat is SO exciting!!!! You and your students deserve this honor! You have inspired me to read this book and now our entire sixth grade team has read & shared this book with our students. Your influence reaches far. I am so excited for you and I can't wait to hear more about this visit! YAY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteA-MAZ-ING! The power of story is exemplified in your school. Congratulations on your award! What a learning experience your students have! It just goes to show how one thought can grow.
ReplyDeleteI just love this story and what you did with this! What powerful work. Congratulations Holly!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspirational post, Holly! Congratulations on the money you've raised in your school. What a fabulous story that ripples on with each new well dug.
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting. I saw you present last year at the Ohio Middle School Conference and I am in the middle of putting our unit together.
ReplyDeleteThis book opens students up to a world of possibilities. What an amazing adventure you have given them. They will never forget!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! So cool. I love how the book inspired you and how you have made a difference with your inspiration. What a great experience for your students!
ReplyDeleteHolly, Kudos to your students, school, and you for the amazing service project. It is wonderful to hear the devotion to service learning. Also, thank you for the videos that were inspirational.
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