Bundles of joy deliver a little hope to local teens
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy
American Academy fifth grade students are pleased and honored to support local teens in need.
Fifth graders from American Academy (AA) – Castle Pines campus took part in a community service project, creating bundles of joy to support students attending Douglas County School District’s alternative high school, Eagle Academy (EA).
AA students filled 150 gift bags with donated goodies like goldfish crackers, gum, gummies, knitted hats, Chick-fil-A gift cards and handmade decorated cards from each student. A segment of the EA student population is homeless. Planning for meals outside of school hours can be challenging. The goal behind the packages is to help bridge the gap.
150 bundles of joy filled with goldfish crackers, gum, gummies, knitted hats and Chick-fil-A gift cards line the halls of American Academy in support of students attending Eagle Academy High School.
EA was established in 1997 as an option for students to attend high school classes in an alternative environment. Students attend school Monday through Thursday with classes beginning in the afternoon and extending into the evening hours. Many students work during the day and attend high school classes at night. The classes are smaller with an emphasis on personalized instruction. According to the school’s website, these factors along with “a family atmosphere are the hallmarks of the Eagle Academy community that rekindles a student’s desire and passion to learn.”
One AA student said the service project really touched him. He personally knew a student who was once homeless as a child. When he saw signs of poverty, he felt sad, but his heart was lifted when he was able to give to the homeless.
