Congratulations! You have been selected to join us in the “Kids Paying it Forward” active citizenship project.

The students in room 26 at Ekstrand Elementary School in San Dimas, CA decided to start this challenge after our class organized a school and community wide recycling program to help pay for an important surgery for a 3 year old girl named Hayley Brang. Through this project we have learned about the different levels of citizenship and that kids can make a difference. We want to encourage other kids to be good citizens, identify issues in their community, and work together to come up with a plan of action to solve the problems. Come aboard and help us spread the word!

A good citizen is like a good neighbor. He or she follows the law, and makes good choices. This type of citizen is the personally responsible citizen. A personally responsible citizen also helps out in their community. The next type of citizen is referred to as the participatory citizen. This kind of citizen is the one who identifies problems, organizes events in the community to solve the problems, and also participates in them. The last level of citizenship is the justice-oriented citizen. This citizen is the one who finds the problem and works to find a solution or law to fix it. Everyone in the world has the power to make a difference, whether you are giving someone a can of food, or raising money for a little girl in your community. Like it said in the 1st amendment, we have a voice, we have the right to stand up for what we want in our world!

“Pay it forward” is another way to say “pass it on”. We are hoping that kids and teachers all around the world will be inspired by our story and “pay it forward” in their communities by doing good deeds, while also learning about their roles and responsibilities as citizens of this world. We are asking kids and teachers to identify an issue in their community and follow a five-step plan to active citizenship. To learn more about our project, the five-step plan, and the different levels of citizenship log on to our website at www.kidspayingitforward.org. You can also share your class project with our class by posting the name of your school, the location, grade level, and a description of your project on our blog. Encourage those around you to do great things and stand up for those who need help.

Well, now that you have heard our story, you can start your own projects to help the world. It’s very easy once you’ve looked at someone else’s work, so come on up and “pay it forward”. We can’t wait to hear about your project!

Sincerely,


The Active Citizens in Room 26

10 comments:

Christy G. Keeler, Ph.D. said...

To the Students of Room 26,

Thank you for this invitation to "Pay It Forward." Because of your request, I have decided to have teachers in Clark County School District (Las Vegas, Nevada) teach their students how to "Pay It Forward" as part of a class the teachers are taking. The teachers are learning about the Civil Rights Era and will teach their students how the great men and women of the 1950s and 1960s served our nation by creating positive change in a system that was not fair for all people. While they teach their third, fourth, and fifth grade students about the Era, they will help their students make changes today in their own communities. Students in nearly fifty classrooms will be reading your letter over the next few weeks. Thank you for inspiring them to make a difference like you have made a difference.

Good luck on your continued efforts to create positive change in our world,
Dr. Christy Keeler

Hayleys MOM said...

Dear Room 26

This is Hayley's MOM, Heather. I just wanted to tell you all how much I appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for Hayley. We are so thankful to have you in our life and want you to know we appreciate all the contributions you have made towards Hayley's smile account.

Beyond helping my daughter, you have helped your community by recycling and teaching other to recycle. Then byond that, I truley believe your website will spread throughout the world very quickly.

I look forward to reading about what others are doing to Pay it Forward and also look forward to "Paying it Forward" with my children and family. We have been blessed by the help we have received and we are anxious to return the favor and help others in need.

Thank you again, and congratulations on everything you have done and accomplished with your project.

Love Heather

Room 26 Sub said...

Dear Room 26,

After perusing your website, I have to say, I am deeply touched by your contribution to Hayley’s account. More than that, Paying It Forward has shown your ability to take your activism to the next level. Personally, I believe in service-learning because it engages students in a meaningful, creative, hands-on manner. It’s relevant!
As an avid SCUBA diver and hiker, I actively participate in two organizations related to my endeavors; the Pacific Crest Trail Association (www.pcta.org) and Heal the Bay (www.healthebay.org). Both organizations enlist a “go green” viewpoint and strive to make the environment a cleaner, healthier place.
I have always considered myself an environmentalist and a steward of this beautiful planet. I am quite honored that you have requested my presence in your classroom while your teacher is on leave. I am looking forward to joining Room 26 and participating in Paying It Forward by continuing the challenge!

Best Wishes,

Ms. Buckner

"Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds."
"Be the change you want to see in this world."

zippitydooda3 said...

To all of you in Room 26,

I know your teacher and she sent me a link to your awesome website. I am so inspired by what you have taken on for Hayley and for the environment.

I can't wait to share what you're doing with my fourth grade class. I know they will want to Pay it Forward as well. We'll let you know which issue we've chosen.

Thanks for all of your hard work!

Stephanie Macdonald
Portland, Oregon

Amy Lees said...

To the students of Room 26,

I am a kindergarten teacher, and a student myself at California State University, Fullerton. My kindergaretn class and I started our own "Pass It On" project that focused on minimizing tattle-taling in our classroom. It was highly effective, and we learned that through our efforts and actions, we have inspired other kindergaretn classrooms in our district to work on conflict resolution strategies as well.

We would like to say thank you for inspiring us to make a difference in our own school. We admire you for all you have done to help Hayley, and wish you continued success on your "Pay It Forward" project!

Mrs. Lees & the 2007/2008 Kindergarten class of Killian Elementary School.

Ms. Abedi's Class said...

Dear Students in Room 26 at Ekstrand Elementary,
We are 6th graders at Niguel Hills Middle School Room 210.


We read your "Pay It Forward" story, and it inspired us to create our own project. Our class decided to sell Livestrong-style Bracelets to raise money for Blake Rollins, who would be a 6th grader here at NHMS but is currently in Canada receiving medical care. Last year she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a disease where the white blood cells don’t reproduce. Her family had no insurance at the time she was diagnosed and has a great deal of expenses.
Our "pay it forward" project was a huge success!

Thanks to all of the Sharks (our mascot) here at NHMS and the community, we sold 1,000 bracelets and raised over $1,800 to donate towards Blake’s medical bills.

Thank you for inspiring us to PAY IT FORWARD!!
Room 210
NHMS

Ms. Abedi's Class said...

Dear Students in Room 26 at Ekstrand Elementary,
We are 6th graders at Niguel Hills Middle School Room 210.


We read your "Pay It Forward" story and it inspired us to create our own project. Our class decided to sell Livestrong-style Bracelets to raise money for Blake Rollins, who would be a 6th grader here at NHMS but is currently in Canada receiving medical care. Last year she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a disease where the white blood cells don’t reproduce. Her family had no insurance at the time she was diagnosed and has a great deal of expenses.
Our "pay it forward" project was a huge success!

Thanks to all of the Sharks (our mascot) here at NHMS and the community, we sold 1,000 bracelets and raised over $1,800 to donate towards Blake’s medical bills.

Thank you for inspiring us to PAY IT FORWARD!!
Room 210
NHMS

Unknown said...

I have read about your project in the newspaper a few weeks ago. I am very impressed about this.I am teaching my children about this and i hope they can do the same things you do:)

Mrs. Sandoval said...

To the Students of Room 26,

We are the students of the GO MAD class at Lone Hill Middle School. We were inspired by your dedication to help Hayley and we did a penny drive at our school for Hayley. We collected over $150.00. Our teacher is sending a check over to your teacher to give to Hayley's family. We look forward to meeting you as you become students at Lone Hill in the future. Thank you for being such great citizens.
Sincerely,
GO MAD Class and Mrs. Sandoval

Unknown said...

students of room 26,

you guys are doing very well and you or we have been getting alot of cans,bottles, and glass plus paper.i am in your classroom and im laura.i am one of the people that created this website and our helper was Dr.Ponder.well, so long!!

laura kovalchuk