The Jericho Middle School World Language Department organized a service-learning project connected to Long Island Cares. Earlier this year, 8th grade Spanish students read the novel Pobre Ana and the French students read the French version Pauvre Anne. In the story, Ana/Anne is a young girl who feels like she is poor in every sense of the word. After spending a summer in Mexico, and in the French version in Belgium, Ana/Anne realizes that her life is truly filled with richness and positive elements. In the story she sets out to help people who are less fortunate and organizes a dance at her school where the payment to get into the dance is a contribution to a cause. Our students were so energized by the stories that they invited their Italian counterparts, who have engaged in various service projects over the years, to join in a beneficiary for Long Island Cares. Thus, an 8th grade initiative was born.

Project managers were chosen from each class to attend a special workshop given by a representative from LI Cares, and students then researched agencies that provide services on Long Island and around the world to those in need. After traveling the globe we selected to collaborate with LI Cares in an effort to support the many families across Long Island who are in need. The eighth grade project managers went into all of the World Language classes to do presentations in the target language, and 6th, 7th and 8th grade students were invited to participate in this project by donating items in exchange for a ticket to a lunchtime dance which was held in the middle school library on January 13th.

Hundreds of students turned out for the event which you can see from the photos was high energy fun!

Thanks to all who participated in this drive and for helping to make a difference in the lives of so many Long Islanders.