Take a Walk Through the Planned US Renovations

In anticipation of King’s April Spring Event, which will raise money for the US renovations, we have put together a narrated video of the revised floor plans, and a 3D rendering of the renovations.  Please click the image above to take your tour.  Enjoy!

Perfectly Sweet: Grade 3 Valentine’s Tea

Students sat up straight in their chairs, with elbows off the table, conversing and conducting themselves in a respectable manner.  Tea and heart-shaped sandwiches were served along with Valentine’s cookies and hot chocolate.  An occasional giggle was heard as pinkies stretched out gripping tea cups during the Annual Grade 3 Valentine’s FaculTea last Tuesday.

The event is a culmination of an “Etiquette and Manners” course taught in the classroom with the help of Lise Leist, Dean of Community Affairs. This year marks the fifth year that the tradition has taken place. The students learn how to shake hands and introduce themselves, how to interact in different social settings, and how to eat at a table. The skills are practiced throughout the year, but special interest is taken during the months of January and February.  Several Teachers eat lunch with students daily, which allows them some practice time.  Both Grade 3 Teachers were very proud of  students and their manners this year!  For a gallery of photographs from the event, click HERE.

Day 4: New Orleans, Witnessing Differences

Day 4:  Today the groups of King students returned to their houses for more labor. At the Dogwell house everyone contributed to putting down a new floor as well as covering a pipe on the property (again).  In addition other groups worked hard and started chipping old paint off of a house. We will begin the painting process tomorrow.

Later we went on a boat tour, all students learned about their surroundings. In addition, there was a great jazz band on board that everyone enjoyed. Also, there was great southern food that most students tried. It was a fun and enjoyable experience.

At night we attended the Wednesday evening mass at St. Anna’s church. Although some students felt uncomfortable with participating, most decided to take part in the experience. It was very interesting to witness the differences between my church at home and St Anna’s.

We will continue our work tomorrow.

Day 3: New Orleans, Making A Difference

Day 3:  Once again everyone broke out into groups and went their work sites. My group, unfortunately did not get to work on the same house as the day before. Everyone got to experience an authentic New Orleans breakfast. Furthermore we got a chance to see a graveyard. The graveyards are unique in New Orleans, because they are all above ground.

Later that day, we attended the Dogwell house. We started putting the floor down in the building and covering a pipe with soil. The work was hard, but rewarding.

To finish the day, we helped the kids from St. Anna’s. Everyone genuinely enjoys working with their child. It is very noticeable that King students are making a difference in their day. Later, we got to hear the stories of three people who experienced hurricane Katrina. Most of what they told us was not covered on the news. Everyone had a different story. For example, a wife was separated from her husband for about a week. Throughout that week they did not have the ability to call each other. The mother had two newborn children at the time…and their home was destroyed. It was an extremely scary time for them.

Day Two: New Orleans, Music and Home Makeovers

Day 2, (from Alex Britton):

Today we began our work with the Children of St. Anna’s Church. Many of the children live in bad situations. St. Anna’s helps the community by showing their children the right things to do. Through education, community service,  and positive thinking, St. Anna’s believes that is the best strategy to get their children out of their particular situations.

King students help by tutoring and mentoring the young students. The children range from grades K-6. By helping with their math or English homework, it makes a huge difference in their education. Furthermore, the kids may not be able to complete their work at home, because of their distracting and violent surroundings. All 25 King students got the privilege of walking the children of St. Anna’s back to their homes. We got to witness what they experience everyday.

In addition, everyone got to help the New Orleans community by painting and fixing up houses. We split up into small groups and students went to three respective houses. Everyone worked hard throughout the day and the new paint job on all the houses look great.

My personal group had the experience of learning more about our supervisors and his story. He is currently 24, although when the hurricane hit he was a senior in high school. He and his mother evacuated to Houston, Texas, but his father was not in contact…two weeks later they found each other in Texas. He expressed that those two weeks were very scary for him and his mother. He also had other terrifying experiences growing up in New Orleans. He was even held at gun point at 14.

Day One: New Orleans

TOP: The students arrive in New Orleans.  ABOVE:  St. Anna’s Church in New Orleans

(Guest blog post from Grade 10 student Alex Britton.  Alex is sending daily updates from the US students’ trip to New Orleans.)

Day 1:  After a long day of traveling, all 25 students arrived in New Orleans. Although everyone was very tired, we made our way to St. Anna’s Church. Throughout the week, we will be working with the underprivileged children involved in their after school program. Furthermore, we also had the pleasure of meeting the priest at St Anna’s. He discussed the problems hurricane Katrina presented the city of New Orleans. In addition, we briefly got to see a daily Mardi Gras  parade. It was very interesting to see the New Orleans culture first hand.  Tomorrow we will begin our work on houses and helping the kids.

US students head to New Orleans on Sunday

On Sunday, 25 US students will board a flight at 6:00 a.m. at JFK, bound for New Orleans. They will spend their February break working with St Anna’s Episcopal church to restore and rebuild homes affected by Hurricane Katrina, and also participate in an after school program tutoring local children affected by this devastation.  As part of their service-learning program, the students will keep journals to document their experiences.

Grade 10 Student Alex Britton, who was featured in the Stamford Advocate last year (click HERE for the story) will be sending daily updates from New Orleans, so follow the students’ progress on this blog (using the ‘Follow’ button to the right,) and the King Facebook page, HERE.