This spring, 28 fifth-grade students at Bernabi Elementary School in Spencerport participated in two community service projects as part of a character education program called "The Giraffe Heroes Project." The program is a story-based curriculum that teaches character development through courageous compassion and service to others. The school counselor intern, Amy Schwartz, a graduate student from SUNY Brockport, implemented the eight-week program with Bernabi school counselor Lori Pillittere. The students participated in sessions that included topics about real life heroes, caring about the community and "sticking your neck out" for others. One group of students decided to clean up the outside area around Bernabi, gathering several bags of debris. The other group collected cans and bottles and donated the proceeds to Dan Milgate, principal of Canal View Elementary School. The funds will be used to purchase a tree to be shared between the neighboring schools. |
