Students and staff at Lawrenceville Elementary School took on autism awareness as their focus for service learning this spring.
As a result of a variety of fundraisers and activities, LES donated $1,232.83 to Autism New Jersey, a group that supports local families and individuals with autism.
Third graders visited the younger grades to read My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete; the children’s book tells the story a young girl whose brother has autism. Through a second lesson, third graders shared an ebook describing what autism is, but primarily focusing on how to include and befriend people who may be on the autism spectrum who might otherwise shy away from social interaction.
One week featured dress-up themed days. Children wore belts to school for “Don’t WAIST (waste) time leaving people out” day and exercise clothes on “Exercise your right to be a good friend” day.
All students decorated puzzle pieces that were put together into a class puzzle representing their uniqueness as individuals and their bonding as a class.
Autism Awareness ribbons were decorated and then displayed in the halls and coins were donated and counted in classroom buckets.
Students presenting a $1,286.83 check to Autism New Jersey representatives at the AWESOME Assembly. Front: Jerry Tian, JJ Conover, William Pasch Bracer, Griffin Ferzan and Samantha Frenck. Back: Autism N.J director of development Ellen Schisler, LES third grade teacher Beth Strauss and Autism N.J. vice president of the board of trustees Kathleen Moore.,
