Starpoint students show 'somebunny' cares

As part of an annual tradition, first-graders at Starpoint’s Fricano Primary School are bringing some joy to patients that are being cared for by Niagara Hospice.

“We made 60 baskets this year for hospice and any remaining baskets will be sent to other nursing homes for patients there to enjoy,” first-grade teacher Jennifer Figliomeni said. 

Figliomeni, alongside teachers Mrs. Held and Principal Mrs. Toth, asked their students’ parents if they could donate a bag of candy and a bag of Easter grass and each of the students made two baskets — one for a patient and one for themselves.

“It’s a great project for the students. It teaches the students empathy and opens up a dialogue about the grieving process. At this age, projects like this allows students to see beyond their world and this teaches them to have compassion for others. We usually get some cards and letters thanking our students for the baskets. Some will tell us that it was the last gift their loved one received before they died and how much it meant to them. This is such a great lesson for our students to learn and plays into the character education piece we teach,” Figliomeni said.