Kids corner: ‘Math Rocks,’ Teddy bear drive help elementary students learn valuable lessons

Hugh McMillan

Kids corner

Playing to an overflow crowd in a carnival-like setting last month at the Minter Creek Elementary gym, the “Math Rocks” event proved that it’s fun to learn mathematics — to many, an otherwise boring subject.

Both kids and parents were having a ball, and I thought, “If they’d taught math this way when I was a kid ... ”

Teacher Charlotte Hirsh challenged and puzzled kids with the old “shell game,” shuffling pennies beneath a collection of upturned paper cups at her table.

The challenge for each of the kids was to participate in problem solving at what seemed to be an unending supply of teacher-monitored tables as possible.

As the kids completed their “assignments,” teachers punched a record card that each of them wore around their necks. At the end of the evening, awards were given to those with the most impressive records.

A very enthusiastic, exciting evening of meaningful fun for all.

Teddy Care

Earlier last month, I had the honor of attending Lighthouse Christian School’s fifth annual Teddy Care project.

It began when the school formed a partnership with Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. At the time, a Lighthouse second-grader’s younger sister, Savannah DeHart, was suffering from leukemia.

After spending many, many hours in the hospital and intensive care, the DeHarts were thrilled to be able to deliver the Teddy Care project’s bears to other suffering patients.

Savannah is now a thriving, cancer-free fourth grader at Lighthouse.

Tim Hoy, the school’s current elementary principal, said his students gave 245 stuffed bears/animals to Mary Bridge Hospital.

“Considering that we have 243 students,” he said, “I’d say that the participation rate was exceptional.”

Over the past five years, Lighthouse has contributed in excess of 1,000 stuffed toys to Mary Bridge.

“I know if I was sick in the hospital, I would love to get a new teddy bear to be at my side,” said Sophie Robertson, a fifth-grader.

Hoy wanted students to understand and empathize with children who are facing traumatic medical events.

“Their giving became heart-felt and out of true compassion,” he said. “Our school also supports the FISH food bank and sponsors a sister school in Liberia.”

“We learned about kids with asthma, cancer or have been in car crashes,” said fourth-grader Steven Burrill

Trent Colbert added: “It gave us a chance to give to kids to comfort them in their time of fear.”

Robyn Carper, a child life specialist at Mary Bridge, said she had the privilege of accepting the stuffed animals.

“Over 240 children and their families will be touched by the thoughtfulness and kindness of those who went out of their way to donate their time, energy and resources to bring smiles to these children,” Carper said. “It was so amazing watching the smiles of each of those children at Lighthouse as they proudly donated their stuffed animals to help other children be comforted.”

Lighthouse kids and staff generously responded to my request for their sentiments. Tristan Woods, Hunter Werner, Rachel Klade, Olivia Duppenthaler — all in fifth grade — and Kristin Baker, a third-grader, and Liam Fisher and Reese Carpenter, both second-graders, offered some gems:

“I’m proud that we helped at least 200 kids with the Teddy Care project.”

“Helping children in need is very hard but it’s fun. When I saw the slideshow of Savannah, I knew what it felt like. She shared her story of how she received a teddy bear while at Mary Bridge.”

“I thought it was amazing to see how the kids with different illnesses lived. It felt good to be helping someone in need of a bear to hug.”

“I never knew I’d put so much love into a bear for someone. They have ‘loving in the stuffing.’”

“The project was definitely a joy for everyone at Lighthouse and a warm gift to sick or hurt children at Mary Bridge.”

“It’s cool how many people care for those kids who are in need of a little TLC.”

It is indeed.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319.