Students Put Empathy into Action at Grand Ridge Elementary

When Andrea Springer’s third grade class at Grand Ridge Elementary studied and discussed compassion as part of their regular social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons this spring, they decided to put their knowledge into action. Together, Springer, her students and their families launched a “Kindness Drive” to collect supplies for Mary’s Place and the Sophia Way Shelter, which helps support students in the Seattle School District. Mary's Place is a nonprofit organization that works to help women on their journey from homelessness to safe and stable living.

“I wanted students to be able to identify with the people they were helping. Kids who are of similar age, interests and vicinity, but who have vastly different lives,” Springer said. “The Sophia Way Shelter donates directly to students and families who attend Lowell Elementary school, which is a school that has many homeless and/or struggling families.”

While SEL lessons happen regularly, this is the first time Springer and one of her classes have completed a project like this one to go along with their lesson. “The world feels heavy right now,” she said. “I think no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, we can agree on this. As important as it is to protect young minds/hearts from knowing too much, I think it is also equally important for them to understand there are people they can identify with, possibly in their everyday lives, that are struggling and we can show empathy for.”

The classmates and families collected donations of diapers, personal hygiene items, books, sheets, toys and more.

During the lessons and class conversations about the project, Springer’s students had a lot of curious questions. “It led to great discussions about how you never know what someone may be going through, how homelessness doesn't always look like what you may see or encounter on the streets, how people just like them can be very much in need, and how even at their young age, they can make an impact on others,” she said.

Third grade student Viksha S. said, “I learned that homelessness is invisible. I hope these donations can change their lives.”

Classmate Aariv R. said, “Compassion means to me being kind and respecting others.”

Fellow third grader Alaina B. said, “I learned from this project that not everyone is as fortunate as me.”

Thinking big, Deniz A. said he hopes the donations might help some people no longer be homeless, and possibly someday that no one would be homeless anymore. “I hope they’ll feel happy,” Deniz said.

Kian M. said he learned that some people have specific needs that we can help them with. “I hope these donations will help the kids succeed in life and be happy,” Kian added.

Rowen S. said, “Helping others is very important, and it can make people feel really good.”

Other students wrote these reflections about the project:

• “I learned that you can help others, even though they are strangers.”
   
• “I hope that one day, there will be no homeless people.”
   
• “It makes people happy when you are caring. ... (I hope) that they will be happy, and that they get reminded that they are loved and that they know we will help them by donating. We are here for them.”
   
• “I hope they will feel happy, loved and cared for!”

To learn more about The Sophia Way or Mary’s Place, visit their websites.