A few special projects happened this year in the Families All Matter (FAM) program.  After reading and discussing the FAM books, Ms Porters’ 3rd Grade class made a quilt. Every student in the class completed a square which represented their individuality.  Please come see this gem hanging in the Hallway of the Upper Campus near the office.  Thanks to Maree Hampton for all of her work with this project.

All 4th graders wrote either a personal essay, a letter to the President, or a poem, expressing their feelings about a FAM topic that was meaningful to them.  The topics were: Immigration, Socioeconomic Differences, Gay and Lesbian Families, and Adoption.  Many of the essays are posted in decorative frames in the 2nd floor hallway near the 4th grade class.  All students did a fabulous job and worked hard on these. Two winners from each 4th grade class were chosen.  The winners were: Maja Mertes, Elliot Smith, Rebecca Kinyon, Teddy Damm, Aidan Berg, and Kieran Winkels.  They won a $35.00 contribution to a charity that relates to their topic. 

Maja and Elliot chose “People Serving People,” an organization that serves homeless people, Rebecca chose, “The Minnesota Council for Adoption”, Aidan chose “Centro”, an organization that supports Latino families, Teddy chose the MN Coalition for the Homeless, and Keiran chose Rainbow Families, an organization which provides local programs to the LGBT families and fights for full family equality throughout all 50 states.  Congratulations to all!