This week, "Project Princess" took on a life of its own! The press jumped all over the good news story that children want to make a difference. My class and I hope all this exposure will inspire others to donate funds for Princess' care, and send a message that animal abuse is NOT okay!
Here are the highlights of our week in "Character Ed. 101":
- On Thursday, November 22nd, I contacted the Simcoe County District School Board about encouraging other schools to join our fund-raising efforts for Princess the abused/abandoned dog. On Monday, November 26th, they issued a media release:
http://www.scdsb.on.ca/About%20Us/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsId=705
- Later that day, a reporter with Sunshine 89.1 FM radio called in response to the media release and conducted a phone interview with me for their news broadcast.
http://www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=52854
- On Tuesday, November 27, the Alliston Herald newspaper interviewed Princess' foster Mom (Pattie Dawson) and, using the SCDSB media release and information from Pattie, shared information about our class' fund-raising efforts in their article:
http://www.simcoe.com/community/alliston/article/1544071
That article was also picked up by the Barrie Advance:
http://www.simcoe.com/news/local/article/1544071--students-step-up-to-help-abandoned-dog
- On Wednesday, November 28th, a reporter from the Orillia Packet and Times newspaper called. She will be covering Princess' first meeting with my students, when the dog and her foster Mom come to my school, likely in January.
- On Friday, November 30th, our class held a school-wide "Hat Day for the Humane Society" fund-raiser for Princess' care. That initiative produced $267.69 in donations!! More details about "Hat Day" are provided here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152296651470006&set=a.109017170005.183901.669025005&type=1&theater
- On Friday, November 30th, a reporter from the Orillia Today newspaper came to our class and interviewed students about their work on behalf of Princess. His article was published online later that day, and will appear in the print edition of the paper on Thursday, December 6th:
http://www.simcoe.com/community/orillia/article/1546551
This article was also picked up by the Barrie Advance:
http://www.simcoe.com/news/article/1546551--students-pitch-in-for-princess
- On Friday, November 30th, Princess' veterinary clinic provided CTV Barrie with an update on how she is doing. They shared with CTV the greeting cards our class sent to Princess and information about our class' fund-raising efforts. Skip to the 14 minute mark in the video to see the piece about Princess:
http://www.ctvbarrie.ca/2012/12/friday-november-30-2012-ctv-news-at-6-webcast/
- As of December 3rd, our in-class coin drive has brought in over $250. in donations. As promised, I will be matching my students' donations with $100. of my own. The coin drive continues until December 20th.
I believe in leading by example, and that is what my students are doing with this project. This week they learned in a very tangible way that even 10 and 11 year old kids can make a difference. I am so proud of the way they have come together as a team to assist with and share a cause that touches their hearts.
If you would like to help with Princess' medical expenses send a donation to:
Alliston & District Humane Society, P.O. Box 1455, Everett, Ontario, L0M 1J0
For online donations, visit their "Canada Helps" page:
Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $10.00.
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December 5th update
Princess' story was covered on CTV Barrie's evening newscast again this evening. Her story starts at 16:40 in the broadcast.
http://www.ctvbarrie.ca/2012/12/wednesday-december-05-2012-ctv-news-at-6-webcast/
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Thank you for visiting our class BLOG. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me (Margaret Black): mblack@mail1.scdsb.on.ca or to add a comment to this page.
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