Schools
K-Kids at Gifford Elementary: Community Service and More!
These students are learning to build a life around service.
The energetic fourth-graders of Gifford Elementary School’s K-Kids Club have raised $35 selling hand-made craft items, read Dr. Seuss stories to younger students, visited a local nursing home and picked up litter on the school playground. And, they’re just getting started!
On Thursday evening, the 16-member club received its charter from Kiwanis International before parents, family members and 10 members of the sponsoring Kiwanis Club of West Racine. The local kids are now among more 33,000 elementary students in 600 K-Kids Clubs in the U.S. and 12 other countries.
But before the charter presentation, the club held a business meeting that looked and sounded a lot like those of adult service organizations.
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K-Kids Club President Cassity Lipke led the business meeting that included minute of the previous meeting, a treasurer’s report, a recap of fund-raising activities and a review of the club’s service activities. Club members plan to get together at least once during the summer to work on craft items like key chains, gift tags and head bands, she said.
“They’re well organized. I’m very impressed with what you’re doing,” said Jim Michel, Kiwanis Club of West Racine president.
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The Gifford group got its start earlier this year when Charity James, a Gifford fourth grade teacher, and Paula Accola, a Gifford special education teacher, wanted to find community service opportunities for their students. Terry Chapman, Gifford assistant principal, suggested they contact the Kiwanis, a service club that emphasizes working with youth.
In addition to its own service orientation, the Kiwanis supports service clubs for elementary students (K-Kids Club), middle school students (Builders Club) and high school students (Key Club.)
Cheri Franch, a long-time Kiwanis member and a retired RUSD educator, agreed to help organize the Gifford K-Club, which is the first of its kind in eastern Racine County. James and Accola are the faculty advisers.
An informational session for the school’s fourth graders was held in January and organizational meetings, including election of officers, were conducted in the spring. There was so much enthusiasm, that six students wanted to run for club president.
The incoming fifth graders will be the club’s nucleus when school resumes in the fall and recruit fourth graders to join them. Membership is expected to easily double to about 40 members.
“These kids have really grown a lot and we look forward to serving with them next year,” said Franch. “This is truly an organization run by kids and for kids helping others.”
To learn more about Kiwanis International, visit:
To learn more about K-Kids Clubs, visit:
http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/discover/ourclubs/Kiwanis-Kids.aspx
