Milford Brook program teaches students to care

Milford Brook program
teaches students to care
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN — Inspired by author Shel Silverstein’s book "The Giving Tree," pupils at the Milford Brook School are learning they can make a difference.

"An important component of what we teach in the primary school is community and responsibility," said Principal Douglass Dresher. "Through the Giving Tree program, the students have an opportunity to learn that compassion and kindness is what makes the Manalapan-Englishtown area a wonderful place to live.

School counselor Laurie Glass explained the program.

"The goal is to help students realize they are a small part of a larger community," she said.

The kindergarten through third grade pupils are involved in a program which teaches them the importance of giving.

"Our Giving Tree program runs throughout the year and involves one class in each grade, each month," Glass said. "The students participate in the activity by collecting, sorting and running the drive. Pictures are taken and placed on a large Giving Tree poster in the hall."

In September, classes collected 50 boxes of can goods and toiletries which were donated to the Samaritan Center, a social services agency that assists area residents in need.

First-, second- and third-graders went to the Pine Brook Care Center in Halloween costumes for their October activity. Prior to their trip, the children practiced songs and made pins, books and posters to leave with the care center’s residents.

During their visit to the local care center the pupils sang songs, accompanied by Dresher, who played his guitar.

"The staff at the center had refreshments and water bottles for each student," Glass said. "They were wonderfully warm and helpful to the students."

Glass said the seniors and the children sang together. Later, the pupils toured the facility and met with residents who were unable to attend the sing-along in the meeting room.

Plans for November included a book drive.

"(Librarian) Dara Hecht runs a book drive for needy children," said Glass. "The students collect and sort the books. We are aiming to collect over 1,000 books."

In February, Glass said, plans call for a return to the Pine Brook Care Center for a Valentine’s Day celebration. Earth Day week is planned for April and the aim will be to make the school sparkle.

And, one month will be set aside as a "Pennies for Pets" month. A collection will be made for the animals at the Jersey Shore Animal Center.

Other plans include writing pen pal letters to the residents at the Pine Brook Care Center and a spring picnic with the seniors who live at the center.