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Sidway shows compassion to Katrina survivors

by Kathy Duff
Grand Island Dispatch, December 16, 2005


Sidway Elementary School faculty and students collected books and supplies for young Hurricane Katrina survivors. In the front row, left to right: Kindergarten students Chloe McQuestion, Julie Pusateri, Ricky Little, Samantha Garcia, Savanna Stoddard and Brian Minton. In the back row, left to right: Jteacher oyce Cowan, Principal Henry Peters and teachers Pat Hitcho and Patti Kwarciak. (photo by Kathy Duff)

Kindergarten and first grade students and teachers and the staff at Charlotte Sidway Elementary on Baseline Road are showing compassionate hearts this Christmas season with their collection of books and supplies for Hurricane Katrina survivors in Louisiana.

Teachers spoke with their classes, explains kindergarten teacher Patti Kwarciak, about “what it was like for children” their own age to experience Katrina and its far-reaching effects. The kids wanted to do something to help and decided to bring in brand-new items to be distributed to children in the St. Bernard Unified School District in Chalmetti, La.

Faculty and staff also raised funds with a “Dress Down Day.” The proceeds purchased a gift card so the Lousiana teachers could obtain additional materials for the kids. Sevenson Environmental Services arranged for shipping.

Kindergarten teacher Joyce Cowan, who initiated the collection and fund-raiser, says that the hurricane survivors are starting again from scratch and are holding classes in trailers.

Students from Miss Cowan’s, Mrs. Kwarciak’s, Mrs. Hitcho’s, Miss Mesmer’s, and Mrs. Ehlenfield’s Kindergarten classes were involved with the project. Also collecting were Mrs. Benevento’s and Mrs. Ivancie’s first-grade classes.