Community+Building

=  Community Building   = == ==

__ DANCE __
=== This was an   elementary school    dance that was open to the  community. They charged admission, sold refreshments, sold   school spirit wear   , and other    fun items    for kids. All  proceeds   went to the school. ===

__ FOOD DRIVE __


=== This was a school having a food drive to help stock the pantries of the local food bank as well as support the county's "backpack" program. This program sends food home with those students who may need a little help with food over the weekend. ===

__ COMMUNITY HELPERS __
=== An elementary school invites community helpers, such as police officers, fire fighters, EMT, etc., to the school to show the kids what these people do as well as show the visitors what the kids learn. The school then offers lunch to the community helpers. ===

__ CANCER AWARENESS __


=== An elementary school encouraged its grade levels to get involved in various causes. Their first graders chose Pennies for Cancer. They collected donations from family and friends to give to the cause. ===

__ BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION __
=== Box Tops for Education are one way for the community to donate to the schools. People buy their normal products, clip the box top, and send them in to the school. This is a simple yet extremely beneficial way for the community to help the schools. ===

__ READING BUDDIES __
=== Reading buddies are a great way to encourage community amongst students. Kids from higher grades work with kids in lower grades in reading. It promotes friendship, support, and encouragement that the students enjoy. ===

__ MENTORS __


=== Mentors are a great way to get community involvement in the schools. These can be parents, community workers, or anyone who has an interest in working with the students. They fill out an application and then, once approved, work one-on-one with different students. ===

__ OPEN HOUSE __


=== Open house is a great way to invite the community to see all the happenings at the school. It shows what the students have been learning, what goes on in the school, and where the school could use additional involvement from the community. ===

__ COMMUNITY GARDEN __


=== Community gardens are a great way for students and the community to work together for a common goal. Gardens invite helpers in to work with the kids to grow food or flowers. The products are then donated to food banks or flowers may be sold to raise money for the school or a cause of the students' choosing. This helps strengthen bonds between the students and the world around them. ===